England claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup after outlasting France 6-4 in Miami, a wild third-place playoff that swung wildly from a comfortable rout to a nail-biting finish. 

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to lead Thomas Tuchel’s side to their best World Cup finish since 1966.

England raced into a commanding 4-0 lead before half-time, with Declan Rice opening the scoring early before setting up Ezri Konsa with a corner. Saka then struck twice before the break, first tucking away a rebound and then finishing off a through ball, leaving France looking shell-shocked heading into the interval.

France emerged from the break transformed. Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back within minutes of the restart, then turned provider for Bradley Barcola before scoring again himself to complete a stunning turnaround that also made him the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Suddenly, the four-goal cushion had all but disappeared, and England were hanging on.

Chances came and went at both ends before Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the closing stages, converting after Djed Spence won a spot kick. But the drama wasn’t finished — Ousmane Dembele struck deep into stoppage time to give France late hope of an improbable comeback. England had the final word moments later, though, as substitute Jude Bellingham drove into the box and slotted home the tenth and decisive goal of the match, a goal that also made him England’s all-time top scorer at major tournaments.

The result gives England their best World Cup showing in nearly six decades, coming just days after a painful semi-final exit to Argentina. It also marked the end of an era for France, with this match being Didier Deschamps’ final game in charge of Les Bleus.

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