England claimed third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a sensational 10-goal thriller at Miami Stadium, with Bukayo Saka scoring a superb hat-trick.
The Three Lions produced their best men’s World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966, ending the tournament on a high after their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina.
England made the perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes when Declan Rice found the net.
Defender Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th minute before Bukayo Saka struck twice before half-time to give England a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
It was the first time England had scored four first-half goals in a World Cup match since their famous 6-1 victory over Panama in 2018.
France mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Bradley Barcola also finding the net to reduce the deficit to 4-3.
Mbappe’s brace saw him become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals, overtaking Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
However, England restored their two-goal cushion when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after Djed Spence was brought down inside the box.
France refused to give up, with Ousmane Dembele scoring deep into stoppage time to make it 5-4, but Jude Bellingham capped a memorable performance by sealing the victory with England’s sixth goal in the 98th minute.
Saka was the standout performer, responding brilliantly after being left on the bench in the semi-final defeat to Argentina.
His hat-trick inspired England to one of their most entertaining World Cup victories.
Meanwhile, Bellingham finished the tournament with seven goals, the most ever scored by an England men’s player in a single FIFA World Cup.
The victory secured England’s best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph and their highest-ever finish at a World Cup played outside England.
The 6-4 victory also became the highest-scoring third-place match in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing France’s 6-3 win over West Germany in the 1958 play-off.