Match Report: France 4-6 England

England finished their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the Third-place game at Miami Stadium on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick as the Three Lions secured their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966.

France, meanwhile, came close to producing an incredible comeback after trailing 4-0 before eventually falling short in Didier Deschamps’ final match as Les Bleus’ head coach.

England made the perfect start by taking the lead after just three minutes. Declan Rice, who captained the Three Lions on the night, won possession near the halfway line, drove forward and fired a stunner into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.

Rice then turned provider for England’s second goal. His corner from the left was glanced into the net by Ezri Konsa in the 18th minute.

England continued to dominate and added a third just before half-time. Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka combined on a quick counter attack and, after two blocked attempts, Saka finally found the net with a left-footed finish, his first goal of the tournament.

The Three Lions scored again in first-half stoppage time. Eberechi Eze played Saka through on goal and the winger calmly slotted his shot into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 at the break.

France responded by making four substitutions at the start of the second half, bringing on Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Digne and Dayot Upamecano. England also made a change, with Ollie Watkins replacing Rashford.

The changes made an immediate impact as France pulled a goal back in the 48th minute. Michael Olise played an excellent pass to Kylian Mbappé, who finished confidently for his ninth goal of the tournament.

France scored again six minutes later. Mbappé’s superb through ball released Barcola, who drove forward before firing past Dean Henderson to make it 4-2.

Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute after exchanging passes with Olise before finishing into the net to reduce the deficit to just one goal.

The goal was Mbappé’s 10th of the tournament and his 22nd in FIFA World Cup history, setting a new all-time tournament record. He also became only the fourth player to score at least 10 goals in a single FIFA World Cup, joining Sándor Kocsis, Just Fontaine and Gerd Müller.

France looked capable of completing a remarkable comeback but missed several good chances to equalise.

England were then awarded a penalty in the 85th minute after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence inside the penalty area.

Saka calmly converted the spot kick two minutes later to complete his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal advantage.

France scored once more deep into stoppage time when Ousmane Dembélé found the net with a left-footed strike.

However, England had the final say as Jude Bellingham produced a brilliant solo goal in the closing moments to seal a remarkable 6-4 victory and secure the bronze medal for the Three Lions.