Declan Rice delivered an unequivocal verdict on England's current crop of players after their 6-4 victory over France in the World Cup third-place play-off secured a bronze medal — the nation's best finish in the tournament since winning it outright in 1966.

"This is the best England group for a very long time. That's a fact. No one can take that away from us," said Rice, who captained the side in the absence of the regular skipper.

Pride mixed with frustration

Despite the heartbreak of the semi-final defeat to Argentina, Rice was eager to acknowledge what the squad had achieved — while making clear that third place is not where England want to stop.

"I think we can be proud as a group — we are just gutted we lost in that semi-final. We're tired of saying we're proud of coming in semi-finals and quarter-finals — we want to win with England ultimately," he said.

"We're so close, honestly. It's a game of small margins. The other night we lost on margins and in the boxes."

Raw emotion from the coaching staff

The depth of feeling in the camp was laid bare by assistant manager Anthony Barry during a half-time interview with BBC One, conducted while England were leading France 4-0.

"There's no frustration. I'm a little bit emotional. I can't find the words to describe how proud I am of these players. They're playing a game with broken hearts. I see 11 lads on the field with broken hearts."

Barry went on to describe the team spirit built over seven weeks as "a privilege to watch," acknowledging the critics while defending the players' pride and resolve.

Tuchel's future and the gap to the elite

Manager Thomas Tuchel is widely expected to remain in charge ahead of Euro 2028, which England will co-host, despite the backlash that followed his tactical decisions against Argentina. He acknowledged a gap between England and the very best, but insisted it could be closed.

"Eight years ago, France were the champions. Four years ago, they were in the final. There is a slight gap, but no problem. We want to close it," he told the BBC.

On the semi-final loss, Tuchel was reflective rather than defensive: "Whatever happened in those 30 minutes against Argentina — or maybe 45 minutes in the second half when we became too passive — it's my job to take decisions. The scar will stay. This is how it is in high-level sport."

Kane and the next chapter

Harry Kane, who netted six goals across the tournament before sitting out the France match as an unused substitute, remained effusive about the group's character.

"One of the best England groups that I have ever been a part of. We had that bond and had so much belief in each other," the Bayern Munich striker said.

Kane also offered a measured defence of Tuchel: "It is his first major tournament. I think he has learned a lot — about the squad, the campaign, the travel, and what it takes under pressure."

Saka's hat-trick sharpens the debate

Bukayo Saka's devastating hat-trick against France only intensified the conversation around Tuchel's decision to keep the Arsenal winger out of the semi-final against Argentina entirely. Saka, who had been managing injury concerns earlier in the North American campaign, insisted he is fully fit.

"Of course, I would love to have played more but it's too late to talk about that," he told BBC One. "I try to do my talking on the pitch and it's done now."

Pundits deliver their verdicts

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy was blunt in his assessment, telling BBC One that Tuchel "will keep his job but I don't think he should," arguing that the tactics cost England a place in the final and left too many gifted players on the bench against Argentina.

Ex-England defender Stephen Warnock echoed the sentiment, pointing to the absence of pace as England's critical failing in the semi-final: "Where was the pace against Argentina? The performance from Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford — their ability to stretch the pitch — pace kills anyone."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was equally direct: "Argentina will be watching thinking 'thank goodness Saka didn't come on at all and Rashford didn't come on until late.' Their pace is frightening."

England's World Cup 2026 campaign ends with bronze, heartbreak, and a set of unanswered questions that will define Tuchel's tenure heading into the next cycle.