Declan Rice and Kylian Mbappe called out for ‘weird’ half-time behaviour in World Cup thriller

Declan Rice and Kylian Mbappe appeared to swap shirts at half-time – and Owen Hargreaves was certainly not a fan.

Both players scored during the thrilling World Cup third place clash between France and England, which ended 6-4 to the Three Lions.

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England and head coach Thomas Tuchel were embroiled in criticism during the week after their 2-1 loss to Argentina in the semi-finals.

However, they found themselves four goals to the good by the break thanks to Rice, Ezri Konsa and a double from Bukayo Saka.

Once the half-time whistle blew in a sweltering Miami, Rice was quick to take his shirt off before heading down the tunnel.

Footage captured en route to the dressing rooms shows him holding a France shirt on his arm.

Walking alongside him was Mbappe, who was in conversation with his former Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel.

The Frenchman was spotted with an England shirt, which therefore suggests that he and Rice swapped their respective tops just before.

However, former England international Hargreaves did not like what he saw, given such a friendly gesture is normally made at full-time.

“Weird. Very, very weird,” the ex-midfielder said on FOX Sports.

Ending on a high

France looked like a new team in the second half as Mbappe scored two goals either side of a Bradley Barcola strike to close the gap.

However, Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot with three minutes to play to put the game out of sight.

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England were given another scare in stoppage time when Ousmane Dembele found the bottom corner.

Jude Bellingham ensured they restored their two-goal lead though, as he scored the match’s tenth goal after a stunning solo run.

Third place marks England’s best finish at a World Cup since their win in 1966.

Whilst disappointment with their semi-final exit remains, they were able to give fans one final cheer before heading home.

Euro 2028 is the next major tournament scheduled for England, though Nations League action will begin in September.

Before then, Spain and Argentina will battle for World Cup glory in the final tonight at 8pm UK time, live on talkSPORT.

AFP