England secured a third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling bronze medal match that produced a record 10 goals at Miami Stadium on Saturday July 18.
Bukayo Saka starred for the Three Lions with a sensational hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s side bounced back from their semi-final disappointment to end the tournament on a high. The victory also handed England their best World Cup finish in 60 years and their first World Cup medal won outside home soil.
England wasted little time asserting themselves, with Declan Rice opening the scoring before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage. Saka then struck twice before halftime to give the Three Lions a commanding 4-0 lead and leave France with a mountain to climb.
France responded strongly after the break, inspired by captain Kylian Mbappé. The forward netted twice, while Bradley Barcola also found the back of the net as Didier Deschamps’ side threatened an unlikely comeback.
However, Saka completed his hat-trick to restore England’s cushion before Jude Bellingham sealed the victory deep into stoppage time with England’s sixth goal. Ousmane Dembélé grabbed France’s fourth, but it proved only a consolation in one of the highest-scoring matches in World Cup history.
The encounter became the highest-scoring World Cup match since 1982 and the most prolific third-place playoff in the tournament’s history, providing an entertaining conclusion for both sides after their semi-final exits.
Despite France’s defeat, Mbappé reached another personal milestone. His brace took his World Cup career tally to 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record, while also moving him to 10 goals for the tournament in the race for the Golden Boot.
For England, Bellingham also finished the competition on a high, ending the tournament with seven goals — the most by an English player at a single FIFA World Cup.
The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year spell as France manager, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful coaching tenures in the nation’s football history.
Speaking in an interview after the match England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team should cherish the moment despite missing out on the chance to win the title.
“It’s the first medal for 60 years, the best World Cup on foreign soil.So I hope that the players can be proud of that in some time. We are fiercely competitive so like we almost don’t allow ourselves to be proud of the third place
Because 18 months ago we set ourselves the highest goal … to make it to the final and win the World Cup so it’s very, very painful if you miss out. The pain will stay for a while “he said.
