Fola Esch

France have scored 16 goals — and conceded just 4 — across seven matches, yet their first tournament defeat to Spain exposed a finishing vulnerability that England may look to exploit. England have won five of seven, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane sharing 12 goals between them, but conceded eight times — twice as many as France. Both teams score heavily from the second half onward. Both arrive wounded. Sportami identifies the patterns that will shape the World Cup's third-place playoff.

England win the bronze medal in a stunning 6-4 victory after leading 4-0 at halftime, surviving a ferocious French comeback led by Mbappé — who broke the all-time World Cup scoring record — before Saka's hat-trick penalty and Bellingham's late strike sealed the greatest third-place match ever played.

France are unbeaten with six wins. Spain are unbeaten with five wins and a draw. Identical shot volumes. Opposite scoring rhythms. France's shot production has increased through the knockout rounds while their finishing efficiency has declined. Spain, meanwhile, have directed a much larger share of their attempts on target. Sportami computes the patterns traditional previews rarely uncover.