England and France players have been lauded for praying together after their thrilling World Cup game on Saturday, when the Three Lions emerged as 6-4 victors in the bronze final.
Days after France fell to a 2-0 semi-final loss against a clinical Spain, and England suffered late heartbreak in a 2-1 defeat by Argentina, Les Bleus took on Thomas Tuchel’s side in Miami.
And England came out on top thanks to a Bukayo Saka hat-trick, Jude Bellingham recording an English-record-breaking seventh individual goal at a tournament, and Declan Rice and Ezra Konsa’s finishes.
In fact, England led 4-0 at half-time before Kylian Mbappe’s brace, Bradley Barcola’s goal and Ousmane Dembele’s strike, with Mbappe’s goals breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record as he moved ahead of Lionel Messi in the 2026 Golden Boot race.
After all the drama, certain players set their differences aside to pray together, with England’s Saka, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Trevoh Chalobah joining the French contingent of Dayot Upamecano, Jean-Philippe, and Maxence Lacroix.
The moment drew praise online, with former TV presenter Dan Walker among those to share his thoughts.
“This is such a beautiful moment from the World Cup,” wrote the radio host. “7 men, from 2 rivals… praying together at the end of their journey this summer. Opponents on the pitch… together in their faith
“Dayot Upamecano, Bukayo Saka, Maxence Lacroix, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Matte [sic], Trevoh Chalobah.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4 v 9-10.”
Others noted the difference in the scene compared to England’s loss to Argentina.
“England and France players pray together post game,” wrote one X user. “[Lionel] Messi and Argentina could never show this type of sportsmanship.”
Another tweeted: “France and England players united together but can Argentina pray like this??”
In England’s loss to Argentina, Cristian Romero taunted Jordan Pickford for conceding Enzo Fernandez’s long-range equaliser. The Argentina defender ran over to the England goalkeeper and bent down, screaming in his face.
Moments after that late goal, Lautaro Martinez produced a header to seal victory and set up Sunday’s final versus Spain in New York.
