Miami, Florida, USA | July 19, 2026
England vs France FIFA World Cup 2026
England produced one of the most memorable performances in FIFA World Cup history, defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking third-place playoff to secure the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, featured 10 goals, dramatic momentum swings, a hat-trick from Bukayo Saka, and a historic scoring milestone for Kylian Mbappe.
The encounter became the first FIFA World Cup match since 1982 to feature 10 goals, cementing its place among the tournament’s most unforgettable contests.
England Dominate the First Half With Four Unanswered Goals
England came out aggressively from the opening whistle and took the lead in just the third minute when captain Declan Rice unleashed a powerful long-range strike that left the French goalkeeper with no chance.
The Three Lions doubled their advantage in the 18th minute as Ezri Konsa headed home from Rice’s corner kick.
Bukayo Saka then took center stage before halftime, scoring in the 37th and first-half stoppage time (45+1′) to give England a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the break.
France struggled to contain England’s pace and attacking movement during the opening 45 minutes.
France Stage a Stunning Comeback After Halftime
France emerged as a transformed side after the interval following four substitutions by head coach Didier Deschamps.
The introduction of Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola revitalized the French attack.
Kylian Mbappe began the comeback in the 48th minute, reducing the deficit to 4-1.
Barcola added another goal six minutes later, making it 4-2, before Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute to bring France within a single goal at 4-3.
Mbappe’s second goal also marked a significant personal achievement, taking his career tally to 22 FIFA World Cup goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 21-goal record. He also moved to the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot race with 10 goals.
Bukayo Saka Completes Hat-Trick Before Jude Bellingham Seals Victory
Just as France threatened to complete the comeback, England earned a penalty in the 87th minute.
Saka calmly converted from the spot to complete his hat-trick, restoring England’s two-goal advantage at 5-3.
France refused to surrender, with Ousmane Dembele scoring deep into stoppage time to make it 5-4, setting up a dramatic finish.
However, substitute Jude Bellingham delivered the final blow in the 90+8th minute, scoring England’s sixth goal to secure a memorable 6-4 victory.
The result gave England its best FIFA World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966, as the team claimed third place with an unforgettable performance.
Goal Scorers
| France | Minute | England | Minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 48′ | Declan Rice | 3′ |
| Bradley Barcola | 54′ | Ezri Konsa | 18′ |
| Kylian Mbappe | 66′ | Bukayo Saka | 37′ |
| Ousmane Dembele | 90+6′ | Bukayo Saka | 45+1′ |
| — | — | Bukayo Saka (Penalty) | 87′ |
| — | — | Jude Bellingham | 90+8′ |
Thomas Tuchel Pays Respect to Didier Deschamps
Following the final whistle, England head coach Thomas Tuchel embraced Didier Deschamps, whose tenure as France’s national team manager concluded with the bronze-medal match.
The gesture highlighted the mutual respect between two of international football’s most accomplished coaches.
Mbappe’s Emotional Farewell to Deschamps
Before the match, Kylian Mbappe shared a heartfelt tribute to Didier Deschamps, thanking him for more than a decade of leadership with the French national team.
Mbappe praised Deschamps’ role in rebuilding French football and said history would recognize the coach’s lasting contribution to the national team.
Despite the defeat, Mbappe’s record-breaking performance added another remarkable chapter to his already outstanding World Cup career.
A Match That Will Be Remembered in FIFA World Cup History
The contest delivered everything football fans could hope for—an explosive first half, an inspiring comeback, individual brilliance, record-breaking achievements, and late drama.
England’s clinical finishing, Saka’s hat-trick, Mbappe’s historic scoring feat, and Bellingham’s decisive stoppage-time goal combined to create one of the most entertaining matches ever witnessed on the FIFA World Cup stage.
For England, the victory secured a well-deserved bronze medal, while France’s spirited second-half fight ensured the match will be remembered as one of the greatest third-place playoffs in World Cup history.
Key Highlights
- England defeated France 6-4 to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal.
- Bukayo Saka scored a sensational hat-trick.
- Kylian Mbappe scored twice to reach 22 career FIFA World Cup goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous mark of 21.
- Jude Bellingham sealed the victory with a goal in the 90+8th minute.
- The match produced 10 goals, the highest total in a FIFA World Cup match since 1982.
- Didier Deschamps managed France for the final time before stepping down as head coach.
