England Beat France 6-4 in Thrilling World Cup Third-Place Playoff
England claimed third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an entertaining 6-4 victory over France in a dramatic playoff on Saturday in Miami.
Thomas Tuchel's side raced into a commanding first-half lead, with Declan Rice opening the scoring in the third minute before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage.
Bukayo Saka then struck twice to hand England a stunning 4-0 lead before the break.
France, under outgoing coach Didier Deschamps, mounted an impressive second-half comeback after four substitutions transformed the contest.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also found the net to reduce the deficit.
Mbappé's brace saw him become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi's previous record.
He also strengthened his position at the top of the tournament's Golden Boot race with nine goals.
England, however, regained control when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto.
Jude Bellingham added England's sixth goal with a brilliant solo effort, becoming the first English player to score seven goals in a single World Cup.
Despite Dembélé's late strike for France, England held on to seal an exciting victory and finish third at the tournament—their best World Cup result since lifting the trophy in 1966.
For France, the defeat marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year spell as head coach.
Les Bleus had entered the tournament as one of the favourites but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain.
Attention now turns to the World Cup final, where defending champions Argentina will face European champions Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
Thomas Tuchel's side raced into a commanding first-half lead, with Declan Rice opening the scoring in the third minute before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage.
Bukayo Saka then struck twice to hand England a stunning 4-0 lead before the break.
France, under outgoing coach Didier Deschamps, mounted an impressive second-half comeback after four substitutions transformed the contest.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also found the net to reduce the deficit.
Mbappé's brace saw him become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi's previous record.
He also strengthened his position at the top of the tournament's Golden Boot race with nine goals.
England, however, regained control when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto.
Jude Bellingham added England's sixth goal with a brilliant solo effort, becoming the first English player to score seven goals in a single World Cup.
Despite Dembélé's late strike for France, England held on to seal an exciting victory and finish third at the tournament—their best World Cup result since lifting the trophy in 1966.
For France, the defeat marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year spell as head coach.
Les Bleus had entered the tournament as one of the favourites but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain.
Attention now turns to the World Cup final, where defending champions Argentina will face European champions Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
