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England signed off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in Miami to secure third place after one of the tournament’s most remarkable matches. Thomas Tuchel’s side appeared to have the contest won by halftime after racing into a 4-0 lead, only for France to stage a stunning comeback that briefly threatened to complete an unlikely turnaround. Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick and Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time strike eventually settled the contest, giving England a podium finish and providing Tuchel with a strong response to the criticism that surrounded his appointment and much of his first major tournament in charge.
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- England in complete control: England made the perfect start when Declan Rice scored after just three minutes before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage from a corner. Saka struck twice before halftime as England overwhelmed France and headed into the break with what looked like an unassailable 4-0 lead.
- France refuse to fold: Didier Deschamps’ halftime changes transformed the match. Inspired by Kylian Mbappé, France played with renewed urgency as Bradley Barcola and Mbappé found the net to slash England’s lead to 4-3 and turn what had looked like a comfortable afternoon into a nervy finish.
- Saka delivers when England needed him: Just as momentum appeared to be swinging France’s way, Djed Spence won a late penalty after a driving run into the box. Saka calmly converted to complete his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal cushion, becoming only the fourth England men’s player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
- Bellingham has the final say: France refused to give up and Ousmane Dembélé reduced the deficit again in stoppage time. But with France pushing forward, Bellingham produced one final moment of quality, driving through midfield before finishing brilliantly in the 98th minute to complete England’s 6-4 victory.
- A positive finish for Tuchel: England leave the tournament with the bronze medal and their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966. After questions over Tuchel’s appointment and criticism following the semifinal defeat to Argentina, the third-place finish offers encouragement ahead of the next international cycle.
- Records continue to fall: Mbappé’s two goals moved him onto 10 goals at the tournament and 22 World Cup goals overall. Bellingham finished with seven goals at the finals, while Saka capped an outstanding tournament with the first World Cup hat-trick of his international career.
- End of an era: The defeat was Didier Deschamps’ final match in charge of France, bringing the curtain down on one of the country’s most successful managerial spells after guiding Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final.
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The focus now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Mbappé’s brace against England moved him to the top of the Golden Boot standings with 10 goals, leaving Lionel Messi needing to score in the final if he is to reclaim first place in the race for the tournament’s top scorer.
England return home with third place and renewed confidence under Tuchel, while France begin the search for a new head coach following Deschamps’ departure.
