England Beats France 6-4: Saka Hat-trick Wins World Cup 2026 Bronze
Key Points
- Bukayo Saka completed a hat-trick as England won the third-place playoff 6-4 against France in Miami.
- Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 22 total goals, surpassing Lionel Messi.
- England's Jude Bellingham scored his seventh World Cup goal, becoming the first England player to reach that milestone in a single tournament.
Saka's Clinical Finish Secures Victory
Saka stepped up to convert a penalty after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the penalty area, completing his hat-trick and extending England's lead to 5-3. Dembele added a fourth for France, but England's Jude Bellingham strode forward to score an individual effort that made it 6-4, becoming the first England player to score seven goals at a World Cup. The 10 goals made for the highest-scoring third-place playoff in recent World Cup history.
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England boss Thomas Tuchel had made significant changes to his starting lineup, leaving out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham—though Bellingham came off the bench to score. Dean Henderson, England's second-choice goalkeeper, performed well in keeping France at bay during the first half before the fixture became an open affair.
Both semifinal losers arrived at the third-place playoff with contrasting experiences. France had been outplayed by Spain in their semifinal, while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina, the defending champions. Deschamps, who led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and finished as runners-up four years ago, is stepping down after 14 years at the helm.
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England's third-place finish marks a significant achievement relative to their recent tournament history. The nation had endured disappointment in the knockout stages of previous competitions, making the bronze medal their best result since their 1966 World Cup victory on home soil. However, the bitter memories of their Argentina semifinal defeat will likely temper celebrations of the bronze medal achievement.
France's attacking prowess was evident despite the defeat, with Mbappe's record-breaking goal demonstrating his continued dominance on the World Cup stage. Olise created opportunities throughout the match, while France's second-half intensity showed the team's resilience after a disastrous opening 45 minutes. The loss ends France's aspirations of a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.
Why this matters: If you follow England football, this bronze medal represents genuine progress after years of semifinal heartbreak—but it also means missing the final against Spain, which will likely define how this tournament is remembered by supporters. For France fans, the defeat marks an uncomfortable end to Deschamps' tenure despite Mbappe's historic goal.
What Happens Next
England will likely view the bronze medal as a platform for future tournaments under Tuchel, though the Argentina semifinal loss will remain a focal point in post-tournament analysis. France faces a management transition with Deschamps' departure, requiring a new coaching philosophy while managing Mbappe's continued excellence. The 6-4 scoreline may prompt defensive reassessment across both nations heading into qualification cycles.
Sources: Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.
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