A high-scoring classic saw England beat France 6-4 to claim third place, featuring a Saka hat-trick and a record-breaking performance from Kylian Mbappé.
England’s 2026 World Cup journey ended with a flourish as they overcame a spirited French fightback to win a ten-goal thriller in the third-place play-off. In a match that fluctuated between clinical dominance and defensive chaos, the Three Lions displayed the attacking potency that many fans felt was missing during their semi-final exit.
England's High Flying Circus
The Three Lions started with a ruthless intensity that left Les Bleus stunned, racing into a four-goal lead before the halftime whistle. Declan Rice set the tone in the third minute by punishing a midfield error, while Bukayo Saka capitalised on his return to the starting lineup with two clinical first-half strikes. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, making a rare start, provided several crucial early saves to ensure England’s early aggression translated into a commanding advantage on the scoreboard.
Three Lions – Saka, Bellingham, Henderson – Stood Out
Individual performances defined the victory, with Bukayo Saka completing a historic hat-trick from the penalty spot to join the likes of Geoff Hurst and Harry Kane in the record books. Jude Bellingham provided the final spark with a stunning solo goal in the 94th minute, bringing his tournament tally to a record-breaking seven. Despite conceding four times in a frantic second half, Dean Henderson’s five saves were pivotal in preventing a complete French resurgence during the game’s most desperate moments.
Bad Start For Les Bleus
The first half was a defensive nightmare for France, characterized by a lack of tracking back and sloppy individual errors that left manager Didier Deschamps visibly fuming. This match marked the end of Deschamps’ legendary 14-year tenure, and his players’ initial lack of desire was a disappointing opening chapter for his farewell. The tactical disconnect in the opening 45 minutes saw England’s attackers given far too much space to exploit, tarnishing the final appearance of a coach who transformed France into 2018 world champions.
A Furious French Comeback Falters
Deschamps responded to the first-half embarrassment by making four bold substitutions at the break, introducing veterans like Ousmane Dembélé to stabilize the side. The impact was immediate, as France transformed into an attacking juggernaut that pulled the score back to 4-3 and looked set to force an equaliser. However, the comeback momentum was halted when Malo Gusto conceded a late penalty, allowing England to regain their composure and finish the match as deserved victors.
Mbappé And Olise Set Records
Despite the defeat, Kylian Mbappé solidified his legendary status by moving to ten goals for the tournament, taking his all-time World Cup career total to a record-breaking 21. His teammate Michael Olise also etched his name into the history books, providing two assists in the match to finish with seven for the tournament—the highest number of assists ever recorded in a single World Cup. These individual milestones highlight the immense attacking talent that France will carry into the post-Deschamps era.
It Could Still Come Home, Again – In 2028 (At The Euros)
For England, this victory serves as the unofficial launchpad for their Euro 2028 campaign, where they will compete as co-hosts on home soil. Beating a world-class French team without needing the services of Harry Kane for the full match provides a significant psychological boost for the squad. As the focus shifts to Wembley and the pressure of a home tournament, this bronze medal finish acts as a reminder that the Three Lions remain among the world’s elite. more football news on MATCHLINE
