‘Like watching Soccer Aid’ – England fans ‘don’t know whether to laugh or cry’ at World Cup demolition of France

FOOTBALL fans joked England vs France was like a “glorified Soccer Aid” as the Three Lions ran riot. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa scored before Bukayo Saka’s double in the first half in Miami. England ran riot with four first-half goals against France Credit: Getty Images There were crazy scenes during the first half as France refused to defend Credit: BBC But there could have been many more goals with the shambolic French refusing to defend and Dean Henderson making a string of saves at the other end. By first-half injury time, Malo Gusto had made the only tackle of all the France defenders. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And England supporters rejoiced in the chaos. One said: “Wouldn’t see this scenario in the 36th minute of Soccer Aid…” READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP Another wrote: “This third-place play-off feels like a glorified version of Soccer Aid. “Expecting Lee Mack and Paddy McGuinness to come on at half-time.” A third added: “It’s like Soccer Aid and the Champions League Final had a baby football match.” A fourth joked: “Just waiting for Lee Mack to leave a cruncher on Ben Shepherd before being subbed for a Love Islander.” Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS France look shell-shocked as England ran riot Credit: REUTERS Anthony Barry was emotional at half-time Credit: BBC And a final user posted: “This is a Soccer Aid game. Robbie Williams’s mate will come on for England at half-time. “The French maitre d’ from First Dates is playing centre back.” England assistant boss Anthony Barry was on the verge of tears during his half-time interview at the Miami Stadium as he welled up at the performance. Barry said: “I have to be honest, there’s so much frustration. “I’m a little bit emotional, I can’t find the words about how proud I am of those players. “We’re playing a game with broken hearts, 11 lads with broken hearts. “I’ve seen them in the hotel in the last few days with broken hearts. “They can build a performance like that by playing through pride for England. The team spirit we’ve built in the last seven weeks. “The cynics will say it’s too late but we still play against a world-class opponent and I’m so proud of the boys. “There’s 45 minutes to go. The game’s not done. Anything can happen. But I’m proud of the team and I hope everyone is as well at home.” Peter Schmeichel slammed the French defence for falling asleep and putting in the worst performance he has ever seen from Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps responded by making four subs at half-time – and was immediately rewarded by Kylian Mbappe scoring his 20th World Cup goal to draw level with Lionel Messi. Bradley Barcola then got another to cut the deficit to 4-2. Comment now