England secured the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating France 6-4 in the third-place play-off on Saturday. Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick was instrumental in one of the tournament’s most notable matches.
England established a four-goal lead before Kylian Mbappé led a strong French comeback. England maintained their advantage, with Saka completing his hat-trick and Jude Bellingham securing victory with a late sixth goal.
England took the lead three minutes into the match when Declan Rice won possession and scored with a powerful shot into the bottom corner, leaving Mike Maignan unable to respond.
Saka appeared to double England’s lead in the 12th minute, but his goal was disallowed for offside.
Six minutes later, Ezri Konsa headed in Rice’s corner to extend England’s lead to 2-0.
France struggled against England’s attacking pressure, though Mbappé created opportunities and forced a save from Jordan Pickford.
In the 37th minute, Marcus Rashford assisted Saka, who scored England’s third goal past Maignan.
Saka struck again deep into first-half stoppage time. Saka scored again in first-half stoppage time, controlling Eberechi Eze’s pass and finishing into the bottom corner to give England a 4-0 lead at halftime. Renewed purpose and quickly found a way back into the game. Mbappé reacted first to Michael Olise’s perfectly weighted through ball to pull one back in the 48th minute.
Six minutes later, Mbappé assisted Bradley Barcola, who scored to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
France continued their comeback in the 66th minute when Olise set up Mbappé for his second goal, making the score 4-3.
France pressed for an equaliser, putting England under sustained pressure in an intense contest.
In the 85th minute, referee Jesús Valenzuela awarded England a penalty after Malo Gusto fouled an England player in the area.
Two minutes later, Saka converted the penalty to complete his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal lead.
Ousmane Dembélé scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to bring France within one goal at 5-4.
But England had the final say. Shortly after, Bellingham scored with a solo effort, securing England’s 6-4 victory and making it one of the standout matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as England secured third place in unforgettable fashion.
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