Dean Henderson handed first World Cup appearance for England

Henderson pictured before the France game in Miami <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Henderson pictured before the France game in Miami (Image: PA)
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Cumbrian goalkeeper Dean Henderson was handed his first World Cup appearance in England's third/fourth place play-off victory against France.

The Whitehaven star was called into the XI by Thomas Tuchel for the bronze play-off game, which went England's way with a remarkable 6-4 win.

It meant Henderson became Cumbria's first World Cup player for 36 years, the last being Barrow's Gary Stevens who played in the 1990 tournament.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Henderson came into the side as Tuchel made changes following England's semi-final defeat to Argentina.

The former Carlisle United academy player came in for regular Three Lions No1 Jordan Pickford.

Other changes at Miami Stadium saw call-ups for Ivan Toney, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah as England lined up against Didier Deschamps' France.

Henderson - one of two Cumbrian goalkeepers at the World Cup, with James Trafford also in the England squad - went on to make a number of excellent saves in the first half, denying France star Kylian Mbappe.

That came as the Three Lions swept into a 4-0 first-half lead through goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two from Saka.

Henderson was then beaten by Mbappe and Bradley Barcola as France responded with two goals early in the second half. The Cumbrian then saved well from Ousmane Dembele as France threatened to continue their fightback, before Mbappe struck again.

Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put England 5-3 up late on, but the scoring was still not over as Dembele then struck a fourth for France before Jude Bellingham netted England's sixth.

It meant Henderson's World Cup bow ended in victory.

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