England achieved their second-best finish ever at the World Cup as a Bukayo Saka hat-trick helped hold off France’s comeback in an unexpected thriller in the third-place play-off in Miami.
Declan Rice’s long-range effort in the third minute prefaced Ezri Konsa doubling the Three Lions’ lead with a header 15 minutes later and Saka striking twice before half-time.
Kylian Mbappe slotted in twice to reach 10 goals at the 2026 edition – moving two goals clear of Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the leading marksman in the top scorer standings – either side of the Bleus captain setting up Bradley Barcola to fire in.
Those goals meant the 2018 champions had reduced the deficit to 4-3 by the 66th minute of a breathless and frequently end-to-end encounter, but Michael Olise missed a presentable opportunity before Saka completed his treble with a penalty.
Ousmane Dembele curled in his sixth goal of the finals from inside the box in the 96th minute, only for Jude Bellingham to dance through a crowd of players and smash in his seventh of the tournament to ensure England, who rested top scorer Harry Kane, took bronze.
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World Cup 2026: England boss Tuchel ‘should go’
After France suffered a surprisingly straightforward 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals, England spurned a 1-0 lead after 84 minutes to lose 2-1 to Argentina, who will meet La Roja in the final on Sunday (20:00 BST).
The manner of England’s capitulation has caused many fans and pundits to question head coach Thomas Tuchel’s position.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy said the display against France would not “suppress the criticism” Tuchel will face.
“It was a terrible performance in the second half,” Murphy told BBC Sport of the defeat to the holders.
“They went out with a whimper, rather than on their shield. I think he will keep his job, but I don’t think he should.
“He failed, and he’s failed in the same way we failed before. It’s the biggest tournament in the world and he had his opportunity.
“I think he probably will get the vote of confidence, but [the FA] should make a change.”
World Cup 2026: Third-place play-off entertains again
Since 1974, every third-place play-off has featured at least two goals. The average is almost four, with England’s 2-0 defeat to Belgium in 2018 the only occasion on which there were fewer than three.
Teams have frequently come from behind to win, including Poland’s 3-2 win over France in 1982, France’s 4-2 victory after extra time against Belgium in 1986 and Germany’s 3-2 defeat in 2010 of Uruguay, who recovered from conceding an early opener to take the lead.
Half of the games across that timespan have contained at least four goals, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie, Thomas Muller and Davor Suker among the scorers.
When England lost to hosts Italy in 1990, the goals arrived at five-minute intervals from Roberto Baggio, David Platt and player of the tournament Toto Schillaci.
World Cup 2026: England team vs France
England made seven alterations, with Kane among the players rested and Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and captain Rice keeping their places.
Kobbie Mainoo, who did not feature at the finals, was injured.
England starting XI: Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney
England substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke
World Cup 2026: France full line up vs England
France also brought in seven players, retaining Mike Maignan, Adrian Rabiot, Olise and Mbappe.
France starting XI: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue
France substitutes: Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta
World Cup 2026: England vs France stats
- Third place is England’s highest finish at a World Cup since their sole title in 1966
- England have featured in two previous World Cup third place play-offs, losing both of them – 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018
- They had won one of their previous nine matches against France (D2 L6), prevailing 2-0 in a friendly in November 2015 friendly
- With 14 goals, Kane is the joint-fifth highest scorer in World Cup history, matching Gerd Muller and one behind Ronaldo Nazario
- Mbappe is the highest scorer in the competition history, with his 22 goals representing one more than Lionel Messi’s total
- This was the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England – the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) but France won 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-final
- Every single World Cup third place play-off match has been won without going to penalties, with only France’s 4-2 win over Belgium in 1986 going to extra time
- France were competing in the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time. Only Germany (5) have more appearances
- Les Bleus beat Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, although they lost 3-2 to Poland in 1982
- They had been unbeaten in four competitive meetings with England (W2 D2) since a 3-1 win at the 1982 World Cup
- France head coach Didier Deschamps took charge of his 187th and final match as France manager, with his 121 wins more than any other head coach for Les Bleus (D35 L30)
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