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Kounde criticizes third-place play-off after France's World Cup exit

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 8:10 AM

Last updated Jul 19, 2026

Kounde criticizes third-place play-off after France's World Cup exit

Summary

Jules Kounde expressed disappointment over the third-place play-off match at the FIFA World Cup, where France finished fourth. Following a 4-6 loss to England, Kounde found it hard to celebrate Kylian Mbappe's individual achievements, including becoming the highest goalscorer in World Cup history. He questioned the value of the third-place match, citing the emotional difficulty for players who aimed for the final. This match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ tenure as France manager, with Kounde thanking him for his contributions to the team.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•France lost 4-6 to England in the third-place play-off
•Kounde highlights team's collective disappointment
•Mbappe scored twice, becoming all-time World Cup top scorer
•Kounde questions importance of the third-place match
•Didier Deschamps' tenure as France manager ends with this match

Latest Updates

8:10 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona star Jules Kounde questions need for World Cup third-place play-off: ‘The match shouldn’t have been played’

What they're saying

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Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has admitted that France’s disappointing finish at the FIFA World Cup made it impossible for him to fully appreciate Kylian Mbappe’s remarkable individual achieveme...
— Yahoo Sports

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