Still hurting from their dramatic 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina, England responded in style in Miami as Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to inspire a remarkable win. Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham were also on target, while France captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become the leading scorer in World Cup history.

England stormed into a 4-0 half-time lead, scoring four goals in the opening half of a World Cup knockout match for the first time, before surviving a spirited French comeback to claim the bronze medal. The victory also marked only the second time England have beaten a higher-ranked opponent at the World Cup, having previously defeated Argentina in 2002.

Tuchel, who had spoken before the match about the need to close the gap to world champions Argentina as well as France and Spain, felt the result showed tangible progress.

"We have the ability to close it, but they have the ability to open it up again," Tuchel told BBC Sport.

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

"I said yesterday, today is the first step to closing it. We did it. We beat them. The next one will be Spain in the Nations League."

Despite finishing with England's best World Cup result since 1966, Tuchel admitted the disappointment of missing out on the final would linger.

"To see a team fight like this gives you energy. The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain when tomorrow is the final. This will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me."

The England boss also highlighted the physical toll of the tournament after his side almost surrendered their commanding advantage.

"We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half," he said.

"You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks.

"We played in the heat, at altitude. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the tiredness, but I was never worried about the mentality.

"I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again."

Saka's treble made him just the second England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout match after Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final, and only the second player to net three times against France in the tournament after Brazil legend Pele in 1958.

Tuchel praised the Arsenal winger's display, admitting he had not even realised Saka had completed his hat-trick during the frenetic encounter.

"He did everything right," Tuchel said.

"Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt. I wasn't aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant."

England will now turn their attention to the UEFA Nations League, where Tuchel sees a meeting with Spain as the next opportunity to measure his team's progress against the world's best.

Malesela challenges Gallants to stay on track