Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England beat France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place play-off to secure bronze medals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Three Lions bounced back from their semi-final defeat to Argentina with an attacking performance that earned them their highest finish at a men’s World Cup since lifting the trophy in 1966 and their best-ever result outside England.
England race into strong lead
Thomas Tuchel’s side made a flying start, taking control with four first-half goals.
Declan Rice opened the scoring before Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage inside the opening 20 minutes.
Saka then struck twice before the break to put England in complete command and leave France with a mountain to climb.
The Arsenal winger, who was an unused substitute in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, made the most of his opportunity with a clinical performance in front of goal.
France fight back before Saka seals victory
France mounted a spirited comeback after the interval as Kylian Mbappe scored twice, either side of a Bradley Barcola strike, to reduce the deficit to 4-3.
Mbappe’s brace moved him ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot and made him the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
England restored their two-goal cushion in the 87th minute when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was brought down by Malo Gusto.
Ousmane Dembele made it 5-4 deep into stoppage time, but Jude Bellingham settled the contest in the weaving through the French defence.
The Real Madrid midfielder ended the tournament with seven goals, the highest tally ever recorded by an England men’s player at a single World Cup.
The 10-goal encounter also set a new record as the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history, surpassing France’s 6-3 victory over West Germany at the 1958 tournament.