Kylian Mbappe insists France's World Cup third-place play-off defeat to England will not "stain the legend" of Didier Deschamps.

A brilliant first half from England saw them claim the bronze medal with a stunning 6-4 victory over the 2018 World Cup winners.

This was Didier Deschamps' 187th and final game in charge of France, and the most goals his side have conceded in a match under him.

In fact, it is the first time Les Bleus have conceded six times in a match overall since 1960 (2-6 vs Switzerland).

England led 4-0 at half-time after a poor performance from France, who rallied after the break and at one stage got back to 4-3, with Mbappe becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in the tournament thanks to his brace.

The France captain acknowledged the mistakes made in the first half but insists it will not tarnish everything Deschamps did during his 14-year reign.

"There were two different halves. In the first half, I can understand some who say that it's that we didn't respect the shirt," Mbappe said to M6.

"I would say more that we were human. Unfortunately, we were completely stunned. They woke us up well.

"In the second half, we became top players again, mental machines that make us have no feelings. We managed to do what we do. We won the second half, but in the end we didn't win.

"It's more of a shame for the coach. We wanted to do something for him, but unfortunately, the first half gave the impression that we let him down.

"But that's not what we wanted to make people feel. That's football. We want to thank the coach for everything he has done. This match is not going to stain the legend, Didier Deschamps."

With two goals and an assist against England, Mbappe has now recorded the most goal involvements on record (since 1966) at a single World Cup tournament (14 – 10 goals, four assists).  

He now has 22 goals at the finals, becoming the outright top goalscorer and leapfrogging Lionel Messi, who will have a chance to reclaim the record when Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Mbappe also now leads the way in this year's Golden Boot race, two goals ahead of the Argentina captain, who has eight goals and four assists.

"Messi will score, that's for sure," Mbappe added. "I'm just trying to help my team win.

"When you score a lot of goals in the World Cup, it makes you evolve in certain spheres. I would have liked not to have been the top scorer in history and played the [final].

"It's good for everything that is heritage, but it's not the first thing that crosses my mind."