Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham benched for England’s third-place play-off
By Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football Writer, Miami
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were named among the substitutes as England boss Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows with his selection for the World Cup third-place play-off against France.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists are playing for bronze in the Miami heat just three days on from the heartbreaking late semi-final collapse to Argentina in Atlanta.
Kylian Mbappe started for France but fellow Golden Boot contenders Kane and Bellingham surprisingly dropped to the bench as Tuchel made seven changes at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The England coach’s decision to select Declan Rice, who captained the side in Florida, and Bukayo Saka given the Arsenal duo have been managing injuries was particularly shocking.
Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Ezri Konsa and Dean Henderson came in, along with Jarell Quansah after completing a two-match ban for his red card in Mexico.
The Football Association announced Kobbie Mainoo, who has not played a minute of the World Cup, was absent from the matchday squad through injury.
