England claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after surviving a dramatic French comeback to record a pulsating 6-4 victory in an unforgettable third-place play-off, with Bukayo Saka producing a magnificent hat-trick.
The Three Lions appeared to have the contest wrapped up by half-time after racing into a stunning four-goal lead, only for France to stage a remarkable second-half fightback before England sealed victory with two late goals.
Declan Rice gave England the perfect start, opening the scoring after just three minutes. The Arsenal midfielder then turned provider in the 18th minute, setting up Ezri Konsa to double Englandâs advantage.
Englandâs attacking football continued to overwhelm Didier Deschampsâ side, with Saka extending the lead in the 37th minute after being played through by Marcus Rashford. The Arsenal winger struck again in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a move created by Eberechi Eze to send England into the interval with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
France emerged from the break a transformed side.
Kylian Mbappé sparked the revival in the 48th minute after being set up by Michael Olise before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit six minutes later from another Mbappé assist.
The France captain then scored his second of the afternoon in the 66th minute, again from an Olise pass, to bring Les Bleus within one goal at 4-3 and set up a tense finale.
However, England steadied themselves and restored their two-goal cushion three minutes from time when Saka calmly converted a penalty to complete his hat-trick and make it 5-3.
France refused to surrender, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring deep into stoppage time after a pass from Dayot Upamecano to cut the deficit to 5-4.
Any hopes of an extraordinary French equaliser were extinguished almost immediately as Jude Bellingham struck in the 98th minute to complete the scoring and secure a thrilling 6-4 victory for England.
The match produced 10 goals, breathtaking attacking football and dramatic momentum swings, providing a fitting finale for both nations after their semi-final disappointments.
For England, Saka was the undisputed star of the show, becoming the first England player to score a World Cup hat-trick in a third-place play-off. His clinical finishing, combined with commanding performances from Rice and Bellingham, ensured Thomas Tuchelâs side finished the tournament on a high by securing the bronze medal.
France, despite the defeat, showed tremendous character to fight back from four goals down, with Mbappé once again underlining his world-class quality by scoring twice and providing an assist in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful comeback.
