Valenzuela has had relatively few direct assignments involving England and France, with most of his international work coming in South American competitions.
The France-Poland match remains particularly relevant. The report says Valenzuela awarded a late penalty against Dayot Upamecano for handball, underlining the scrutiny that can follow a decisive call in a major tournament.
His record offers context rather than a pattern. With limited meetings involving either side, the bronze-medal contest is unlikely to be shaped by a long-running referee narrative.
The update says England arrive after a semifinal loss to Argentina. Anthony Gordon put England ahead shortly after half-time, but Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored late to turn the match around.
That reversal leaves Thomas Tuchel with a response to demand. England’s defensive adjustments failed to protect the lead, and the match against France will test whether the team can restore control after a painful exit.
This will be the fourth World Cup encounter between England and France, according to the report. Their most recent meeting came in the 2022 quarter-finals, when France progressed after Harry Kane missed a penalty.
There is no previous third-place precedent between them, so this fixture will create its own meaning. The next storyline is whether England can convert disappointment into a composed performance-and whether Valenzuela’s decisions become central to the contest.