England claimed third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after surviving a second-half fightback from France to win 6-4 in what is being called one of t
England claimed third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after surviving a second-half fightback from France to win 6-4 in what is being called one of the greatest matches in tournament history.
The ten goals scored at Miami Stadium made it the highest-scoring World Cup game in over four decades.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were ruthless from the start. Declan Rice opened the scoring inside three minutes with a curling effort from distance, then turned provider soon after, setting up Ezri Konsa for a headed second from a corner.
Bukayo Saka doubled his side’s advantage before the break with two well-taken finishes, the first tapped in from a Marcus Rashford pass and the second curled in from the edge of the box.
England went into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead and their best World Cup platform in six decades within reach.
France responded with a different level of intensity after the restart. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, in the 48th and 66th minutes, becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer in the process.
Bradley Barcola added a third soon after, with Michael Olise credited as the creative force behind France’s revival, and the deficit was suddenly down to one goal at 4-3.
England steadied themselves, helped by a mid-half break in play that slowed France’s momentum.
A penalty award in the 87th minute allowed Saka to convert and complete his hat-trick, restoring a two-goal cushion at 5-3.
France were not finished, though — Ousmane Dembélé pulled one back deep into stoppage time to make it 5-4 and set up a nervy finish.
Jude Bellingham’s late strike ultimately sealed the win at 6-4, capping a breathless finale.
The result gives England their best World Cup finish since 1966, though it comes with mixed feelings given the context of a third-place playoff rather than the final itself.
For France, despite the defeat, Mbappé’s brace pushed him past Lionel Messi’s career World Cup scoring record, a personal milestone in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Reaction after the match focused as much on the occasion as the result, with players from both sides praising the quality and drama of the contest — a fitting send-off before Sunday’s final.
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