England defeated France 6-4 in a dramatic third‑place World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium, delivering the tournament’s highest‑scoring game since 1982 and securing England’s best finish since 1966 and winning the bronze medal at this 2026 tournament.
The 10 combined goals was the most in a World Cup game since 1982.
The Three Lions took the lead less than three minutes in with Declan Rice’s long-range goal, then Ezri Konsa headed home Rice’s corner 15 minutes later to double England’s lead. Bukayo Saka added two before the halftime whistle as England took a stunning 4-0 lead into the break.
But France wasn’t done. In his last game after 14 years in charge, Didier Deschamps made a quadruple sub to start the second half, shaking things up in attack with the additions of Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
Kylian Mbappe scored a few minutes after the intermission, his ninth goal at this tournament to take the Golden Boot lead over Lionel Messi and 21th career World Cup score, equaling the mark Messi set this summer. Barcola scored 10 minutes later and suddenly England’s lead was down to 4-2.
Mbappe scored again in the 66th minute to pull France within one and make him the all-time leader in World Cup goals. But Saka converted a penalty in the 87th to restore the two-goal advantage. Dembele, of course, responded in stoppage time to give France hope again and make it 5-4.
But it still wasn’t over! Substitute Jude Bellingham scored in the 98th minute to ice it for England and secure the team’s best World Cup finish since winning it all in 1966.
Bukayo Saka grabbed a hat-trick and Jude Bellingham became the first English player to score seven goals at a single World Cup in a breathless match.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice put England ahead with a goal from distance in the third minute and Ezri Konsa headed home to make it 2-0.
The game threatened to become embarrassing for France when Saka made it 3-0 after a swift break and the Arsenal man scored again in first-half stoppage time.
He made multiple substitutions at the start of the second half, bringing on Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
He was rewarded almost instantly when Mbappe scored his ninth goal of the tournament to move clear of Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
Mbappe then netted his second of the game to become the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 22 goals — slotting home from Michael Olise’s pass.
France squandered a number of opportunities and England were handed a chance to extend their lead when Malo Gusto brought down Djed Spence in the penalty area.
Substitute Bellingham handed Saka the ball and he stepped up to the spot and converted to complete his hat-trick.
There was still time for Dembele to grab a fourth for France but Bellingham then strode forward to score the 10th goal of the match with a fine individual effort.
By finishing third, England secured their best result at a World Cup since winning the tournament in 1966.
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