Bradley Barcola scored from the bench after Ibrahima Konate was substituted at half time in France’s 6-4 defeat against England.
Having started France’s 2-0 semi-final defeat against Spain, Barcola was rested for the third place play-off, a match that Konate declared none of the French players “wanted to play.”
With Didier Deschamps’ side 4-0 down at the break, Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Digne were called upon to help restore some dignity – and that they did.
After Kylian Mbappe netted France’s first, the scorer turned provider for Barcola to bag his third goal of the tournament.
Mbappe’s excellent pass in behind Jarell Quansah meant Barcola only needed two touches before dispatching assuredly from 10 yards out.
Even though England would add to their tally with two late goals, Liverpool’s transfer target went on to have a good half, completing all 12 of his passes and being dispossessed just once, per FotMob.
The French attackers played some wonderful football in the second period, Michael Olise and Mbappe, in particular, putting on an exhibition at times.
Mbappe scored again to overtake Lionel Messi as the World Cup‘s all-time top scorer with his 22nd strike, before Dembele added a French fourth in injury time.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The latest on Liverpool’s reported pursuit of Barcola came from Fabrizio Romano on Saturday, the transfer journalist saying: “No fresh contacts so far between Arsenal and Bradley Barcola’s camp or PSG after shock hijack for Morgan Rogers.
“Liverpool keep targeting Barcola if price can be affordable — waiting on PSG.”
The price may not be affordable, however, given French newspaper L’Equipe reported that PSG will seek a fee of £127.8 million.
Ibrahima Konate substituted at half time with 2/10 rating
France's Ibrahima Konate listens during a news conference ahead of their third-place World Cup soccer match against England, in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
France’s attackers may have restored some respect to the scoreline, but that was only after Konate had been taken off at the half-time interval.
This was the former Liverpool defender’s only start of the tournament, but even in what is generally deemed somewhat of a friendly match, he was well below par.
Having been made to sit on the bench for all but 14 minutes of the World Cup, Konate started alongside Crystal Palace‘s Maxence Lacroix in Miami.
With Malo Gusto at right-back and Theo Hernandez at left-back, France found themselves 4-0 down by half time, leading to Konate’s withdrawal.
The Real Madrid centre-half, who is said to be earning £400,000 per week at his new club, was particularly lax for Bukayo Saka’s goal to put England 4-0 up.
England's Bukayo Saka scoring his sides fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze final at the Miami Stadium. Picture date: Saturday July 18, 2026.
Upamecano came on in his place after Konate had proved his coach right in dropping him from the starting XI for the tournament.
L’Equipe, who are known for their harsh ratings, gave the defender a 2/10 performance, saying:
“He was present yet absent, too often caught in between. He watched the ball pass in front of and behind him, never seeming to find the rhythm of the match.”
FotMob tells us that Konate won just one of his four ground duels and made just one defensive contribution – not a night to remember for the 27-year-old.