EXCLUSIVE: The incoming Prime Minister has also promised to “extend devolution” in order to “restore hope” while putting “local people in the driving seat” of their communities.

Andy Burnham has vowed to place Scottish economic growth and job creation for young people at the centre of his plan for government.

Writing exclusively for the Sunday Mail the incoming Prime Minister has also promised to “extend devolution” in order to “restore hope” while putting “local people in the driving seat” of their communities.

Burnham said: “Scotland will be central to my plan for changing our politics and giving people real hope for the future again. I’m determined to make sure I use every lever I can to make life better.”

The MP has long argued for a federal UK with more power held outside London in the hands of new mayors and local authorities. And hinting at further devolution for Scotland he added: “People who know a place should have real power in shaping their future.

“From Aberdeen to Stornoway, from Dumfries, to Orkney and Shetland, my mission is clear. Restoring hope and driving growth through a clear, confident, authentically Labour direction. The future we’ll pave together will be rooted in fairness and will ensure local people are in the driving seat.”

While Burnham is understood not to favour more powers for Holyrood and the Scottish Government, he promised to work constructively with First Minister John Swinney.

He insisted his priority will be delivering the “well paid jobs young people need” by concentrating on economic growth rather than “political squabbling”.

It has emerged Burnham will announce plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea as part of a policy blitz on entering Downing Street which could have huge ramifications for jobs in the North East of Scotland.

And we can reveal the new Labour leader held a video call with his party’s MSPs last night in which he also reiterated his priority was industrial renewal.

A source said: “There was a big focus on the economy and what can be done to drive quality job creation, whether that is through public procurement or the energy industry.

“Andy was extremely well informed for example of the awarding of ferry contracts abroad rather than investing in Scottish engineering. He was clear that he wants to work constructively with the Scottish Government and that he respects Scottish Labour’s autonomy.

“But it was also very evident that he knows Labour needs to get things right this time, that the party cannot afford to squander the opportunity to convince people that the party is on their side and is competent at getting things done.

“Andy is coming in with a lot of energy and optimism and that is rubbing off and the message was that it is time to roll up our sleeves and start delivering for communities rather than focussing on the opposition, infighting and petty politics.”

The Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new oil and gas licences but to honour existing ones. However there has been huge debate over two fields in Scotland – Rosebank and Jackdaw – which regulators approved in 2022 and 2023 under the then Conservative government, but were overturned in 2025 after a legal challenge.

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It is understood Burnham wants to see these projects go ahead which would not contravene party manifesto commitments and could deliver a huge economic boost in Scotland.

Current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has campaigned against new oil and gas developments in favour of pursuing green alternatives but there has been growing resistance in the face of conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine which have put pressure on energy prices.

US President Donald Trump who has made repeated calls to “open North Sea oil” and said in a social media post prior to Starmer’s resignation that he had “failed badly” on energy policy.

Burnham, who returned to Parliament a month ago in a by-election, emerged as the sole leadership candidate after being backed by 379 Labour MPs, as well as all 11 trade unions affiliated to the party, earlier this week.

His policy agenda is believed to include new council homes, reinvigorated high streets and improvements to education.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester has also previously outlined his vision for reforms to social care, greater public control of water and energy firms and the devolution of power away from Whitehall. Burnham will unveil his Cabinet next week with rumours continuing last night over who will be offered the great offices of state.

Once Keir Starmer formally resigns as Prime Minister on Monday, Burnham will be sworn in, deliver a speech outside Downing Street, then begin appointing his candidates. Shabana Mahmood is believed to be the frontrunner for Chancellor however that has sparked fury among supporters of Ed Miliband who is understood to want the post.

Both MPs along with big hitters including Wes Streeting, Yvette Cooper, Angela Rayner, Lisa Nandy, Lucy Powell and Louise Haigh will all be hoping for top jobs including Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary.

Health, defence, education, social security and trade ministerial jobs will also be up for grabs. There have been rumours of a shock return to frontline politics for former New Labour minister David Miliband – the brother of Ed.

Several Scottish MPs will be hoping to retain government posts and win promotions including current Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, Michael Shanks, Ian Murray and Zubir Ahmed.

Another Scottish MP being tipped is Blair McDougall – a close ally of Burnham’s new chief-of-staff James Purnell – with speculation he could replace Alexander as Scottish Secretary.

Defence Secretary John Healey’s resignation as Defence Secretary was part of the reason Starmer was forced out, following a year of wrangling over funding for the defence investment plan.

Burnham has pledged to boost funding, but any such move will likely require cuts to other departments. Dan Jarvis, Mr Healey’s replacement is expected to be ousted and Healey has been linked to a sensational return.

Other options could include Aberdeen born former Royal Marine Al Carns.

Leon Pafu Ngoy, 15, was described by his loved ones as bringing “energy, laughter and happiness” to all he knew after tragedy struck and he was found dead at Clifton Country Park.

He was confirmed dead on Monday, June 29, after a three-day search by the emergency services.

United Utilities has now confirmed that public footpaths are still open on land it owns around the country park, but they are working with partners to look at safety in the area.

A spokesperson said: “All public footpaths on United Utilities land at Clifton Country Park, including routes from Red Rock Lane and the bridge, remain open and accessible.

“The area next to the bridge that provides direct access to the River Irwell is private land and should not be accessed.

Some of the fencing at Clifton Country Park (Image: Phil Taylor)

“We are working with the Greater Manchester Water Safety Strategic Partnership to review safety arrangements in the area.

“Our priority is to help keep people safe while ensuring public rights of way remain available for the public to enjoy responsibly.”

Passers-by have reported seeing that routes from Red Rock Lane to the bridge over the River Irwell are open.

Signs warning about hazards at the country park (Image: Phil Taylor)

But an area next to the bridge is on private land and is not open to the public, being protected by locked gates and fencing.

Salford City Council has previously confirmed that they are cooperating with an investigation into the incident, but United Utilities is the landowner at the site in question.

Floral tributes were left at the scene to “Leon the Champion” after the 15-year-old’s death, while his family later paid tribute to a boy who had big ambitions for the future.

The incident happened at Clifton Country Park (Image: Phil Taylor)

They also appealed for families to learn from the incident and be cautious with bodies of water.

A statement from the family said: “Leon was our baby, our brother, our best friend, and the heart of our family.

“He was kind, respectful, thoughtful, and loved by everyone who knew him.

Private land is fenced off (Image: Phil Taylor)

“No matter where he went, Leon brought energy, laughter, and happiness.

“People will always remember his infectious smile, his sense of humour, and the way he treated others with kindness and compassion.

“Leon had just completed his GCSEs and was excited about the future.

More of the signage at the country park (Image: Phil Taylor)

“He loved basketball, fashion, music, and spending time with family and friends.

“He had big ambitions and dreams he was looking forward to pursuing.

“If Leon could speak to others today, we believe he would have one important message: no matter how safe the water may look, it is never worth taking the risk.

“We will always wonder what might have been if different choices had been made. If Leon had gone to the local swimming baths instead of the Clifton Country Park that day, he would still be with us.

“In sharing Leon’s story, we hope that other families never have to experience the unimaginable pain and heartbreak that we are living through.

“Leon was deeply loved, and we will carry his memory with us always.”

That was the advice of retail expert Ojay McDonald, chief executive of the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM).

Ojay addressed the changes needed at the Annual General Meeting of York BID (Business Improvement District), also highlighting how BIDs help deliver such change.

He said the world had evolved citing the examples of online star influencers James Charles and Ryan Kaji, who have a global following for their articles on make-up and toys.

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Few in the audience of the Thursday evening meeting had heard of them and Ojay said this highlighted the extent of changes underway.

Familiar names like Debenhams were gone, but the changes were more than just delivery apps. Now people no longer need to work in an office, they don’t go to the cinema to watch films, physical currency is no longer needed and the digital economy has reframed how we understand the concept of proximity, he said.

Towns and cities were created to bring people together to trade goods, he explained, but the digital economy meant this proximity was no longer needed and the role of towns and cities was being eroded.

It means the traditional city centre was no longer essential, the high street no longer a place where we meet, and “we need to make it a place where we want to be,” which meant making them safe and attractive.

Retail expert Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) addresses Thursday night’s York BID AGM. (Image: Darren Greenwood)

“We need to work hard at it because it (the high street) is not essential anymore. We need wholesale change.”

However, high streets are not governed from high but face a ‘mess’ of different shareholders, who need to “be on the same page” to deliver change.

The high street faced three main barriers, a volatile rating system, low public sector investment, and a high cost of occupying property, with fragmented property ownership.

This leads to a ‘ghost town’ Britain of empty premises, or one full of charity shops or betting shops, or ‘clone Britain’ where the high street is full of the same brands.

BIDs, Ojay explained, become a facilitator, they gather intelligence and help people understand the change they are seeing. BIDs influence policy and they make a meaningful difference to a city centre environment.

They can co-ordinate, help delivery, including safety and crime reduction initiatives. They help with placemaking, public realm, regeneration and offer business support.

They help fund or host cultural events and street activities that boost footfall.

York BID is among the best BIDs in Britain, Ojay added, winning two national awards in two years. Previously, it would approach other BIDs for advice, but now others come to it.

In the questions that followed, Ojay said heritage is “one of the strongest draws for anybody” and towns and cities should “lean into heritage as much as possible.”

He also agreed with a comment from York Central MP Rachael Maskell, that if centres are child friendly, this will bring their parents and their spending money.

 This is one of multiple articles which are being published on The Press website as part of a special report on city centre trade which can be found in this weekend’s edition of the paper.

John Douglas, 51, of Third Street, Stanley, admitted driving his silver Skoda Yeti on Wagtail Lane, Stanley, on April 18, with 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Douglas pleaded guilty at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on July 13.

The court imposed a 17-month driving ban, with the period reduced by 17 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course by June 15, 2027.

Douglas was also fined £120. He must pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £48 victim services surcharge.

He has until August 10, 2026, to pay the full amount.

The court said his guilty plea was considered when sentencing.

By JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ, US ASSISTANT SHOWBIZ EDITOR

Published: 16:16 BST, 18 July 2026 | Updated: 05:34 BST, 19 July 2026

The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan does not own a cell phone and now his leading man Matt Damon revealed how he gets into contact.

Years ago, the 55-year-old filmmaker Nolan revealed that he operates without a cell phone and does not communicate using text or email. 

Now Damon – who also recently revealed that the director had ‘waterboarded’ him – recalled how he found out that he was going to portray Odysseus in the film.  

The A-list star revealed to People that Nolan’s wife and Oscar-winning producer Emma Thomas ‘had texted me, “Are you around for a call today?” Because Chris famously doesn’t have a phone.’

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Damon said that it is Thomas, 54, who ‘always gives you a heads-up if he’s going to call.

‘And then you get a phone call from a nondescript number, because he’s just picking up a line at Universal Studios.’

The Odyssey director Christopher Nolan does not own a cell phone and now his leading man Matt Damon (pictured at the premiere in New York Monday) revealed how he gets into contact

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The A-list star revealed to People that Nolan’s wife and Oscar-winning producer Emma Thomas texted him if he could take a call before Nolan rung him up to offer him he role of Odysseus

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Is Nolan’s refusal to use modern tech a mark of genius or just making life harder for his team?

 Nolan and Thomas met at University College London when he was 19 as she has worked as a producer on all of his films since 1997. They have four children together. 

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The actor said that even Nolan has no idea what phone number he will be calling from.

Describing the call, Damon said: ‘He called and we chatted for 10 or 15 minutes.

‘It was only six months after Oppenheimer had gone through the Oscars and all of that.’  

Damon previously opened up about the challenges he faced on set while filming the epic with the filmmaker at the helm.

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In the highly-anticipated epic, Damon portrays the protagonist in Greek and Roman mythology, the aforementioned Odysseus, as he faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca and meets creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens and the nymph Calypso along the way.

Damon recently described the intense final days of filming to People as he said: ‘We were laughing at the end because we were shooting some close up raft stuff that was too dangerous to do on the open water. 

‘So we’d shot some wides, but we did some stuff on the tank that involved Chris pouring water over my face while I was lying there and I was like, “This is perfect. We’re ending this with waterboarding.”‘

Damon, Nolan, Thomas, and Anne Hathaway are seen left to right at The Odyssey premiere in New York on Monday

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In the highly anticipated epic, Damon portrays Odysseus, as he faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca and meets creatures like Polyphemus, Sirens and Calypso along the way

Damon (pictured with Zendaya in the film) said: ‘We did some stuff on the tank that involved Chris pouring water over my face while I was lying there and I was like, “This is perfect. We’re ending this with water boarding”‘

As if that wasn’t already enough to deal with, Damon joked about having to deal with a few of his ‘phobias’ including being stuffed into a giant Trojan horse. 

Damon said: ‘I worked through a lot of them on this one, definitely.

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‘Claustrophobia was one, but I hope I’m on the other side of that one now.’

 The Odyssey features an incredibly star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Tom Holland, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, and John Leguizamo. It is in theaters now.

Every year NHS patients get to rate the level of care they receive from their GP surgery

Cambridgeshire’s best-rated GP surgeries have been revealed after an annual NHS survey. Each year, the NHS surveys patients across the country about the care they receive from their GP surgery.

Patients are asked to give their opinions on their practice on a range of different topics, from overall experience to how easy it is to contact the surgery and how much they trust their GP. The data for this year’s patient survey was collected between the start of January and the end of March. It means patients can track how their local GP has performed.

Two surgeries, one in Kimbolton and the other in Alconbury picked up an almost perfect score with 96 per cent of respondents saying the practice was ‘good’ overall. It makes Kimbolton Medical Centre in Newtown and Alconbury Surgery on School Lane the best-rated GPs in Cambridgeshire.

Just over three-quarters of patients (77 per cent) across the whole of England said that the overall experience at their practice was ‘good’. That’s an improvement from the 2025 survey, when 74 per cent gave a score of either good or very good.

A total of one in 10 said that theirs was poor or very poor. That again is an improvement on last year, when 13 per cent gave an overall poor rating.

An overwhelming majority of patients (93 per cent) said that they had confidence in their GP or the other health professional that they saw at their surgery. Some 86 per cent said that the health professional treats them with care and concern, while 87 per cent said that they listen to them.

Only around two-thirds (69 per cent) said that once they made an appointment, the amount of time that they had to wait felt “about right”. Almost a third (31 per cent) said that it was too long.

The top performers with the highest percentages of respondents saying the practice was good overall:

1. Kimbolton Medical Centre, Newtown (Kimbolton) – 96 per cent
2. Alconbury Surgery, School Lane (Alconbury) – 96 per cent
3. Buckden Surgery, Mayfield (Buckden) – 93 per cent
4. Great Staughton Surgery, The Highway (Great Staughton) – 93 per cent
5. Swavesey Surgery, Boxworth End (Swavesey) – 93 per cent
6. Burwell Surgery, Newmarket Road (Burwell) – 92 per cent
7. Bourn Surgery, Alms Hill (Bourn) – 91 per cent
8. Over Surgery, Drings Close (Over) – 91 per cent
9. Bottisham Medical Practice, Tunbridge Lane (Bottisham) – 90 per cent
10. Harston Surgery, Church Street (Harston) – 90 per cent
11. Papworth Surgery, Chequers Lane (Papworth Everard) – 89 per cent
12. Staploe Medical Centre, Brewhouse Lane (Soham) – 89 per cent
13. Moat House Surgery, Beech Close (Warboys) – 88 per cent
14. St Mary’s Surgery, Lynn Road (Ely) – 88 per cent
15. Lensfield Medical Practice, Lensfield Road (Cambridge) – 87 per cent
16. Yaxley Group Practice, Landsdowne Road (Yaxley) – 87 per cent
17. Haddenham Surgery, The Green (Haddenham) – 86 per cent
18. Newnham Walk Surgery, Wordsworth Grove (Cambridge) – 85 per cent

The U.S. military launched airstrikes Sunday targeting Iran‘s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to retaliate for the killing of American troops in Jordan, further widening the crossfire between the nations as they fight over Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes, now part of a weeklong campaign that has seen Iran strike U.S.-allied countries across the Middle East, comes as an interim deal seeking to find an end to the Iran war has collapsed.

The U.S. has targeted bridges, electrical facilities and other targets in Iran, and Tehran has retaliated by hitting power and desalination plants in Kuwait, threatening daily life in that small, oil-rich desert nation. Iran also has stepped up its threats to further expand the strikes, drawing a warning overnight from the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Latest U.S. strikes come after troops killed

The U.S. military’s Central Command in its statement also said it hit “Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage sites.” It also said for the first time it specifically targeting the Guard, a key power base in Iran’s theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal.

Footage released by the U.S. military appeared to show strikes carried out by fighter jets and by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from sea. One target site appeared to be in a valley of a mountainous region. The Guard often has missile bases and other military equipment tucked into mountain ranges.

Iran has provided no overall information on its materiel losses in the American campaign, which now is in its eighth day as the nations vie over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded passes in peacetime.

An Iranian attack on a base in Jordan killed two American service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalization, the U.S. military said.

Since the war began, 16 U.S. service members have been killed and over 430 wounded.

Iranian authorities said Saturday that at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in the latest U.S. strikes.

Will Smith unveiled a bold new look when he surfaced solo in Monaco this week, revealing he has shaved his head completely bald.

The 57-year-old’s exposed pate gleamed in the sun as he attended the E1 Series Monaco Grand Prix, an all-electronic boat-racing tournament.

Will, who owns a team called Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola that is competing in the event, grinned and flashed a peace sign as he strolled into the paddock.

He posed for pictures with such high-flyers as Monaco’s reigning Prince Albert and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, the founder and chairman of E1.

His sunny display of bonhomie comes weeks after Will’s fans lambasted his wife Jada Pinkett Smith online, taking her to task for an alleged ‘toxic’ gesture she made towards him as he signed autographs in Paris.

Jada and Will married in 1997 and separated in 2016 but are in an unconventional ‘life partnership’ and are reported to be living together again.

The Daily Mail has contacted Will and Jada’s representatives for comment. 

He posed for pictures with such high-flyers as Monaco’s reigning Prince Albert and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, the founder and chairman of E1

A viral clip showed the family heading to a car, before Oscar-winner Will stops to sign autographs for a plethora of waiting fans.

A somber Jada, who was following behind and holding onto Will’s arm, was filmed placing her hand on her husband’s back, moving past him and swiftly walking off in the opposite direction.

She then cracked a smile and turned back briefly as photographers called her name.

The clip was posted online with the caption claiming, ‘Jada Pinkett shoved Will Smith aside while he was signing autographs for fans and walked away like he was a complete stranger.’

Fans erupted in the comment section writing, ‘I still don’t know what secret she has of Will that has made him to still stick with her This is a woman that detests you

‘Shoving him aside mid-autograph like that felt unnecessarily harsh.

‘Loser behavior. She needs to get over Tupac and stop cucking Will.

‘This relationship is toxic…simply put…if you have no respect for your spouse (Jada), then move on…can’t you do bad by yourself…

‘And he slapped a close friend on stage for her,

‘She hates he gets all the attention.’

Others defended Pinkett, adding, ‘She touched him, as she passed. Like an acknowledgement. No shoving.

It comes after Will’s fans turned on Jada over an alleged ‘toxic’ gesture she made towards the actor as he signed autographs in Paris last month

‘No woman could ever hate that guy. He has a big heart.

Another wrote, ‘She didn’t shove him to the side at all, nor she ignored him like a stranger considering she’s following her daughter.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for the pair for comment and has yet to hear back.

Aside from this Paris trip, the last time they were spotted together in public was for a family dinner in early June, their first joint appearance in six months.

The pair were spotted at Nobu Malibu in California with Smith’s mother Caroline as well as Jaden and Smith’s son Trey, 33.

The couple remain legally married since their wedding in 1997, but have been famously living separate lives in an unconventional ‘life partnership’ since 2016.

Last month, it was revealed that Will is set to star in his first non-franchise film in years after signing on to star in Supermax.

The film follows ‘two FBI agents investigating a murder that has taken place in the world’s most secure prison,’ and production is expected to begin in August, before the movie will be released for streaming, according to Deadline.

He will be playing one of the lead FBI agents, and casting for the female counterpart is reportedly still in progress.

Jada revealed in 2023 that she and Smith separated in 2016 – but have not taken steps to officially divorce.

They tied the knot in 1997, but in October 2023 Jada spoke about their separation during an interview with Hoda Kotb on Today.

She explained: ‘By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.’

The actress – who first crossed paths with Smith on set of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air in the mid-90s – also previously shared that she had an affair with singer August Alsina in 2020.

Smith and Pinkett posed with their daughter Willow in a rare family outing to support their son Jaden at the Christian Louboutin show during Men’s Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday night 

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However, Jada expressed that she has never been able to go through a legal divorce with Smith.

‘I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. And I just haven’t been able to break that promise.’

Hoda then questioned the actress, ‘But you still live separately?’ which prompted Jada to confirm that she and Smith ‘live separately.’

Last year in January, a source gave an update to People on the status of their relationship.

‘Call it what you want. They are living their own lives but haven’t completely severed ties,’ the insider said.

A separate source also told the outlet that the pair ‘are still together’ but ‘have had separate homes for years.’

Last year, it was revealed that the Hollywood duo reunited for a new business venture amid the actor’s attempts to relaunch his career after the viral Oscars slap.

Their entertainment company Westbrook signed a first-look deal with Paramount to create new theatrical films, hinting at the actor’s gradual return to Hollywood.

Will has been largely frozen out of the industry since he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards, but is now expected to star in projects developed under the partnership, while Pinkett will take on producing roles.

Jada’s marriage to Will previously came under blistering public scrutiny in 2020, when she interviewed him on her chat show Red Table Talk about an ‘entanglement’ she had four years earlier with Alsina, who is 21 years her junior.

Her split from Will happened in the same year that she had the affair with Alsina.

Jada confirmed that she was in an ‘entanglement’ with Alsina – but insisted that she and Will were separated at the time.

‘We were over,’ she said to Will on the episode. ‘From there, as time went on, I got into a different kind of entanglement with August.’

However, the pair denied Alsina’s claim that Smith had given him permission to pursue the relationship with Jada.

There is no doubting Thomas. At least, that is, if you are Thomas.

For Tuchel, this absurdly bi-polar victory will be vindication, silencing the boos that tarnished his name before kick-off and the chorus of criticism that has followed him since Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by Argentina. He has delivered England’s best World Cup finish since 1966. Not quite the second star he promised, but a first bronze medal. With the German, it will always be his way or the freeway.

But for those who have formed that mass choir of inspection in recent days, they too will see this as justification. Look what happens when you attack a lead rather than defend it, Thomas? For them, there will be regret. There will be anger, even, at a 6-4 win over the tournament favourites. They will also point to England’s second-half collapse as evidence of tactical cowardice and an inevitable retreat. That is what this flash referendum on the country’s head coach has caused amid the fallout of Argentina.

Tuchel called the split among supporters ’50-50’ on the eve of the game, an interpretation that was both favourable and naive. When his appearance on the big screen stirred jeers from a Miami crowd of far more white than blue, it would have stung.

But the response of his team was louder still, and that moved both the manager and his assistant Anthony Barry. At half-time, with the score at a barely believable 4-0 to England, Barry said: ‘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. 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.’

After defeat to Argentina on Wednesday, England competed with ‘broken hearts’ to claim third place in Miami

Kylian Mbappe was unable to help France end on a high in an eye-popping end to both nations’ World Cup journey

The cynics will say it is too late. Where was this bravery when it was needed at 1-0 up in Atlanta? Where was Bukayo Saka against Argentina? Here he was sending Theo Hernandez for the baguettes every time he got the ball. So much so, the full-back was hooked at half-time. Saka had scored twice by then. Come the end, he had a hat-trick. Individually and collectively, England were inspired. At least for 45 minutes they were.

We had, mistakenly, thought that Tuchel’s performance in his pre-match press conference would be more significant than anything that played out on the pitch. There, we got an insight into his thinking having had time to reflect on Argentina. And his thinking was exactly the same as it was in the immediate aftermath – England’s exit was not on him. Yes, he would take responsibility, but he was not responsible. There is a subtle difference, yet it is one that would have landed like a sledgehammer in the dressing-room. After parking the bus in Atlanta, this felt like he was chucking his players under it.

Tuchel’s subsequent team selection had an uneasy whiff of self-preservation. Seven changes and no Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham. Surely we could not criticise him if the reserves did not perform? France had Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise in their XI.

England’s start, then, was a shock. They played with freedom, adventure and precision. Goodness, they were brave on the ball. When they took the lead in the third minute, it was overdue, such was the purpose with which they began.

Declan Rice intercepted a ball on halfway and, when France’s efforts to recover the situation amounted to nothing more than a Gallic shrug, the midfielder took that as an invitation. He drove into the space in front of him, composed himself 25 yards out and slammed into the bottom corner.

Thomas Tuchel received heaping criticisms after defeat to Argentina and was somewhat subdued in Miami

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Didier Deschamps oversaw his last ever match in the France dugout but could not see out a final win

Declan Rice was the first name on the scoresheet just minutes after the match kicked off

Mbappe did at least help bolster his Golden Boot credentials by establishing a two-goal lead to contender Lionel Messi

Jude Bellingham was a later substitute and the final scorer as England closed their World Cup chapter Stateside

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What to do now? Bring on Dan Burn? Switch to five at the back? There were only 87 minutes to see out. No, England went for a second. They puffed out their chests, gloved up and sought to land another blow. Quick learners, this lot.

Marcus Rashford saw a shot deflected, likewise Saka, who also had a goal disallowed for offside. There were chances at the other end – Dean Henderson saved well from Ryan Cherki – but there would have been France opportunities, too, had England sat back. Instead, here they were, on their feet and marching forward.

In the 18th minute, Rice delivered teasingly from a corner, in a way he had not done since the opening game, and Ezri Konsa flashed a header into the far corner. There were two more before the break and neither goal was at all a surprise. Rashford teed up Saka to finish after the pair burst in behind and Saka rolled an easy fourth after being sprung clear by Eberechi Eze.

Never did we know, however, how dangerous a 4-0 scoreline can be. From the start of the second half, seemingly without instruction from Tuchel, England’s back four set up camp in their own penalty. And so came the invaders.

Mbappe ran away from Konsa to collect an Olise pass for 4-1. Mbappe turned provider when Bradley Barcola escaped Jarell Quansah for 4-2. Mbappe then finished after France knitted passes around a ragged England, and all of this before the 67th-minute drinks break. At 4-3, you could hear the knives sharpening from across the Atlantic.

But England reached into their own cutlery draw and found a blade of their own. Djed Spence charged into the area in the 86th minute and was tripped by Malo Gusto. Saka stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot for his hat-trick. Ousmane Dembele then smashed a French fourth before Bellingham danced through the goalmouth for England’s sixth. With that, the World Cup wooden spoon was theirs.

Tuchel will likely use it to bat away the doubters.