Bukayo Saka expressed his desire for more playing time at the World Cup after leading England to a dramatic 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off, where he scored a stunning hat-trick. His performance starkly contrasted with England's disappointing semi-final loss to Argentina, where head coach Thomas Tuchel opted to leave Saka on the bench.

Saka netted two spectacular goals in the first half, showcasing England’s attacking prowess and counter-attacking capabilities. Reflecting on his limited role in the tournament, he stated, "Of course, I would love to have played more... I try to do my talking on the pitch. It's done now. Move on."

Tuchel explained his decision to bench Saka during the semi-final, citing a gut feeling that Morgan Rogers would contribute more. Despite the controversial choice, Tuchel acknowledged Saka's importance, noting, "Bukayo showed he was a key player, that was never a doubt."

The victory over France marked England's best World Cup performance since 1966, yet questions lingered about Tuchel’s tactical choices. Saka, who ended the tournament with three goals and three assists, demonstrated his quality even after battling injuries throughout the season with Arsenal.

Tuchel remarked on closing the gap with France, emphasizing the need for continued improvement as they prepare for upcoming matches, including a clash against Spain in the Nations League. Despite the bronze medal achievement, the coach faces scrutiny regarding his decisions and the team's defensive lapses during critical moments in the tournament.