England 6 - 4 France Third Place Match on FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff delivered an absolute classic at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, as England secured a historic 6-4 victory over France. It was a high-octane affair that saw both nations, reeling from their respective semifinal exits, put on a spectacle for the fans to close out their tournament journeys.
A First-Half Masterclass
England stormed into the game with incredible intensity, catching the French defense off guard early on. By the time the halftime whistle blew, the Three Lions had built a commanding 4-0 lead:
Declan Rice opened the scoring just 3 minutes in.
Ezri Konsa doubled the lead in the 18th minute.
Bukayo Saka then took center stage, netting twice (37' and 45+1') to effectively put the game out of reach before the interval.
France's Spirited Second-Half Comeback
France refused to go down without a fight after the break. Led by captain Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus mounted a furious rally:
Kylian Mbappé struck in the 47th minute and again in the 66th minute to bring France back into contention.
Bradley Barcola found the net in the 54th minute, turning the scoreline into a nervous 4-2.
However, England’s composure held firm. Bukayo Saka completed his incredible hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to restore breathing room. While Ousmane Dembélé added a late goal for France in the 90+5th minute, Jude Bellingham responded immediately with a final goal for England in the 90+8th minute to seal the 6-4 result.
This victory marks a significant milestone for England, securing their best World Cup finish in 60 years. For France, it was a bittersweet end to the tournament and the final match under the leadership of Didier Deschamps.
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