MIAMI GARDENS, FL — In one of the most chaotic, exhilarating, and highest-scoring games in FIFA World Cup history, England secured the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a breathtaking 6-4 victory over France at Miami Stadium. A spectacular first-half performance by Bukayo Saka, who walked away with the match ball after scoring a magnificent hat-trick, laid the foundation for Thomas Tuchel’s side to claim England’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
First-Half Demolition by England
The Three Lions came flying out of the blocks in the suffocating Florida heat. It took just 134 seconds for Declan Rice to smash home the opener from long range. After a Saka goal was ruled out for offside, defender Ezri Konsa doubled the lead with a composed finish in the 18th minute. Saka then put on a masterclass, netting two rapid-fire goals before the halftime whistle—including a stoppage-time tap-in—leaving Didier Deschamps’ French squad shell-shocked at 4-0.
Mbappé’s Historic Fightback Falls Short
Didier Deschamps, managing his final game after a historic 14-year tenure, rallied his side at halftime. Les Bleus staged a ferocious second-half comeback. Kylian Mbappé quickly got France on the scoresheet in the 48th minute, before setting up Bradley Barcola to cut the deficit to 4-2. Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute, completing his brace and cementing his legacy by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
A Grandstand Finish
With France pushing hard for a historic equalizer, England won a penalty in the 87th minute after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the box. Saka stepped up coolly to seal his hat-trick and make it 5-3. The drama didn’t end there: Ousmane Dembélé pulled one back for France in the 96th minute, but England’s star of the tournament, Jude Bellingham, danced past multiple defenders in the 98th minute to net the 10th and final goal of the game, sealing the historic 6-4 win.
