A hat-trick from Bukayo Saka helped England edge out France 6-4, in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off on Saturday.
The win means England clinched their first-ever bronze medal at a FIFA World Cup, having finished fourth in 1990 and 2018.
France captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice which took his tally in this year’s edition to 10 goals, and makes him the all-time World Cup top scorer with 22 goals.
It was a game of two halves as England went into the break 4-0 up before France netted three goals to bring the scores to 4-3 and missed a couple opportunities to draw level.
Declan Rice, who wore the captain’s armband put England 1-0 up just three minutes into the match and in the 18th minute Ezra Konsa doubled the lead.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: England Must Learn To Close The Gap On Spain, Argentina, France
In the 37th minute Saka got the third goal and one minute into first half added time, the Arsenal star made it 4-0.
Three minutes into the second half Mbappe pulled a goal back for France and Bradley Barcola scored to make it 4-2.
Mbappe for on the score sheet again on 66 minutes to make it 4-3 but Saka converted from the penalty spot to extend England’s lead to 5-3 and complete his hat-trick.
The scoring continues as Ousmane Dembele scored on 96th minute to make it 5-4 before Jude Bellingham sealed the win for England by grabbing the sixth goal on 98 minutes.
3 Comments
What a game! What a way to end your campaign at a big tournament like world cup.
You guys should have played like this against Argentina now.
This writter when last did you read or hear a reputable sport journalist or even commentator address mbappe by only his first name kylian????
He is more known by mbappe his surname rather than his first name….
If not that you put france camptain there even with that, it can be a little bit confusing for others…..
Some readers will be wondering if france now has a new captain or a new player in the team from out of nowhere….
Clarity of language, words, etc is the backbone of journalism.
Your readers or listeners (in cases of commentary) are suppose to catch up so easily with no struggling, confussion or misinterpretation….
Thank you…..
Mbappe – 10 Goals
Messi – 8 Goals
Haaland – 7 Goals
Bellingham – 7 Goals
Kane – 6 Goals
Dembele – 6 Goals
Osimhen – ????????????????
Nice one Mr writer….
For editing it and taking correction…