England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high, defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking third-place playoff on Saturday, with Bukayo Saka scoring a stunning hat-trick in a 10-goal thriller at Miami Stadium.
While neither side had hoped to be contesting the bronze medal after semifinal heartbreaks, England produced an attacking masterclass to secure their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966. The result also denied France a podium finish despite a record-breaking performance from captain Kylian Mbappe.
England made a dream start, taking the lead in the third minute when Declan Rice fired home from long range. Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage soon afterwards with a towering header before Saka took centre stage.
The Arsenal winger struck twice before halftime, first finishing off a rapid counterattack before adding another in stoppage time to send England into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead. France's disjointed first-half display prompted coach Didier Deschamps to describe it as "catastrophic" before making four substitutions at the interval.
The changes transformed the contest.
Mbappe ignited the French fightback by scoring early in the second half before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further, raising hopes of an unlikely comeback. Mbappe then struck again, calmly finishing from Michael Olise's pass to register his 22nd career World Cup goal, making him the tournament's all-time leading scorer. His ninth goal of the 2026 World Cup also moved him two clear of Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot ahead of Sunday's final against Spain.
However, France's revival was halted when Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence inside the penalty area. Saka converted the resulting spot-kick to complete his hat-trick and restore England's three-goal cushion.
Ousmane Dembele pulled another goal back for France late in the game, but Jude Bellingham sealed England's victory with a brilliant solo effort, becoming the first England player to score seven goals in a single World Cup campaign.
England manager Thomas Tuchel rested several key players, including Harry Kane and Bellingham at kick-off, yet his side still overwhelmed France with clinical finishing and relentless attacking football.
For France, the defeat marked a disappointing end to Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure. The 2018 World Cup-winning coach had guided Les Bleus to consecutive finals in 2018 and 2022, but they finished fourth after semifinal and playoff defeats.
The World Cup now concludes on Sunday when defending champions Argentina face European champions Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Messi seeking another title and Mbappe hoping his Golden Boot tally remains unmatched.
