England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 this Saturday at Miami Stadium in a spectacular goal-filled showdown.

The match was an instant classic, with Bukayo Saka emerging as the star of the night after scoring a hat-trick to lead the Three Lions to victory.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé completed a memorable individual performance with a brace, reaching 10 goals at this World Cup and 22 goals in FIFA World Cup history, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

The match also marked the farewell of Didier Deschamps as France manager, closing the chapter on the most successful era in the history of Les Bleus, highlighted by their 2018 World Cup triumph and years of international dominance.

HERE ARE THE BEST MOMENTS FROM THIS THRILLING MATCH!

A Focused Declan Rice Catches France Off Guard

It took less than three minutes for England captain Declan Rice to break the deadlock with a stunning long-range strike, showcasing his technique and precision with his right foot.

The early 0-1 lead immediately frustrated Kylian Mbappé, while Rice remained composed, celebrating the goal with a calm and understated reaction that reflected his focus on the match.

Bukayo Saka's Stunning Goal Ruled Out

Bukayo Saka thought he had delivered a spectacular goal for England after taking advantage of defensive mistakes from France.

The Arsenal forward produced a brilliant individual move and finished with quality, but the effort was ruled out after he was judged to have been in an offside position when he received the ball.

A moment of individual brilliance from Saka that could have given the Three Lions an even bigger advantage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.

England Make It 0-2 and France Can't Find a Response

England have doubled their lead, and France have yet to find an answer.

Ezri Konsa made it 0-2 in the 18th minute with a powerful header after a right-sided corner from Declan Rice, once again exposing France's defensive problems on set pieces.

The Three Lions are dominating the intensity and efficiency in Miami, while the big question remains: Where is France? The pre-tournament favorite is struggling to impose its style and is being outplayed in the third-place playoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bukayo Saka Scores Twice Before Halftime

Bukayo Saka delivers a stunning first-half performance, scoring a brace to put England in complete control before the break.

The Arsenal forward made it 0-3 in the 37th minute after a sequence that included two crucial saves from Dean Henderson, a poor decision by Mike Maignan on his way out, and a smart assist from Marcus Rashford. Saka only had to tap the ball into the net to extend the Three Lions' advantage.

The second goal arrived in the 45th minute, with a left-footed finish from just outside the box into the left side of the French goal.

A perfectly timed through ball and assist from Eberechi Eze set up the play, allowing the England attacker to finish clinically and extend the lead before halftime.

France and Kylian Mbappé Wake Up in Second-Half Comeback

France have completely transformed the match at the start of the second half, cutting England's lead to 3-4 after Didier Deschamps' halftime substitutions.

Kylian Mbappé is leading the French resurgence, scoring goals in the 48th and 66th minutes while also providing the assist for Bradley Barcola's goal in the 54th minute.

With his brace, "Kiki" reaches 10 goals in the tournament and 22 goals in FIFA World Cup history, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history for the moment.

Les Bleus have turned a seemingly decided match into a thrilling battle in Miami.

Bukayo Saka's Hat-Trick Seals Man of the Match Honors

Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, calmly converting a penalty to make it 5-3 after Malo Gusto brought down Djed Spence inside the box.

The Arsenal star delivered a sensational performance, putting France on the brink of defeat with his third goal of the night and capping one of the finest displays of the tournament.

Just minutes earlier, in the 80th minute, Michael Olise missed a golden opportunity to level the score at 4-4, a chance that ultimately proved costly as England regained control and went on to secure third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A Thrilling Finish to a World Cup Classic

After a brief and unusual interruption caused by cramps suffered by Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela Sáez, the match exploded into life in stoppage time.

Ousmane Dembélé reignited France's hopes of forcing extra time with a stunning strike in the 90+6th minute, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament to cut the deficit to 4-5. It was a moment of pure quality that gave Les Bleus one final belief in an improbable comeback.

But England had the final word.

Substitute Jude Bellingham, who entered the match in the 79th minute, produced a moment of brilliance to put the game beyond doubt. The Real Madrid midfielder capped off a dazzling solo run with a spectacular finish in the 90+8th minute, sealing the 6-4 victory and ending France's spirited fightback.

It was a fitting finale to one of the most entertaining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Emotions Overflow After the Final Whistle

England celebrate a memorable victory, securing third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and taking home the bronze medals after an unforgettable 6-4 win over France.

As the final whistle echoed around Miami Stadium, Oasis' "Wonderwall" played over the speakers, providing the perfect soundtrack to another triumph for the Three Lions—one made even more significant by defeating the France side led by Kylian Mbappé and outgoing manager Didier Deschamps, the most successful coach in the history of Les Bleus.

The celebrations were matched by heartfelt scenes on the pitch, as players from both teams embraced, exchanged jerseys, and shared moments of mutual respect after one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. It was a fitting conclusion to a World Cup classic that showcased the spirit of the game.

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