England and France’s footballers put rivalry aside after their 10-goal thriller in Miami on Saturday night to share a poignant moment of unity on the pitch.
Seven players from both national sides stood together shoulder to shoulder to form a ring and bow their heads in collective prayer just moments after their World Cup epic.
The players involved in the centre circle gathering were England’s hat-trick hero Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze, Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea, Marc Guehi of Manchester City, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano.
The moving scene was shared widely across social media, drawing plaudits from supporters of both teams and beyond.
Though this show of faith is not common among opposing teams on the pitch, it plays an important part in football.
Last year Arsenal and England star Noni Madueke revealed how he and nine of his team-mates pray together and go through bible scripture before matches.
Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maxence Lacroix and Dayot Upamecano share a prayer on the pitch in Miami on Saturday night
Bukayo Saka (centre) netted a hat-trick to help England secure their best World Cup finish since 1966
After defeat by Argentina on Wednesday, England competed with ‘broken hearts’ to claim third place in Miami
Daily Mail Sport reported how the Premier League’s ‘Bible Boys’ – the term used by fans on social media to describe the Arsenal squad – were openly voicing their faith as they rode divine inspiration to the title.
That includes a group of their Christian players meeting to pray either in an onsite dedicated prayer room – opened by former Gunners midfielder Mohamed Elneny, a devout Muslim – or in a quiet room near the changing room.
Full back Jurrien Timber is among the most open about his faith, regularly posting Bible verses on X on the morning of the north London club’s matches.
And Madueke is just as passionate.
He said: ‘It’s fantastic that we have a squad that is not ashamed of that (practising religion). We believe it gives us such a massive boost when we go on to the pitch, that we’re not alone.
‘On the pitch we have got each other but we believe we have God fighting for us as well, so I feel like it’s fantastic. It just brings us closer together.
England star Noni Madueke (left) has spoken of the importance of faith in Arsenal’s success
At Arsenal, religion isn’t hidden away – with players like Eze free to practise their faith with their team-mates
‘Before every game we pray together for a few minutes and then also at the hotel, for a few minutes, studying the bible and just praying.
‘Not even just always praying, just seeing if we’re all good, checking on each other, stuff like that. It’s top.’
In Miami on Saturday night it was England who prevailed in the third-place play-off to earn their bronze medals after a bewildering 90 minutes of action ended in a barely-believable 6-4 final scoreline.
Reeling from their agonising semi-final defeat by Argentina just three days earlier, a much-changed England side raced into a four-goal lead by half-time after goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two from Saka.
Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the second half, but only after Les Bleus had staged an incredible comeback.
Kylian Mbappe was unable to help France finish on a high in an eye-popping end to both nations’ World Cup journey
Kylian Mbappe – who moved two ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot – nabbed a brace as Bradley Barcola also scored to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a scare.
France gave themselves renewed belief during seven frantic minutes of stoppage time as Ousmane Dembele netted to make it 5-4 to England.
But their hopes of a sensational comeback were dashed when Jude Bellingham embarked on a barnstorming solo run to slot home and secure England’s best World Cup finish in 60 years.
And it meant that Didier Deschamps tasted defeat in his final game in charge of France after 14 years at the helm.
