MIAMI, July 19 (ANI): England claimed the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling, record-setting third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday (local time).
The defeat also marked a disappointing end to Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as France manager.
In the highest-scoring third-place match in modern World Cup history, Bukayo Saka’s hat trick overshadowed Kylian Mbappe’s two-goal performance, helping the Three Lions secure their best World Cup finish on foreign soil since 1966.
England dominated the opening half, racing to a stunning 4-0 lead before halftime.
Declan Rice opened the scoring in the third minute, and defender Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th minute. Saka then struck twice in quick succession in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time (45+1), marking the first time France had conceded four goals in a single half of a FIFA World Cup match.
France mounted a spirited comeback after the break.
Managing his 187th and final match in charge, Deschamps made tactical changes at halftime that transformed the contest.
Mbappe sparked the rally with a goal in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola made it 4-2 six minutes later. Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute, reducing the deficit to one goal and putting England under sustained pressure.
With his second goal, Mbappe surpassed Lionel Messi to become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history. The brace took his World Cup tally to 22 goals, one ahead of Messi’s 21.
England regained control late in the match when a counterattack earned an 87th-minute penalty. Saka converted from the spot to complete his hat trick and extend England’s lead to 5-3.
The drama continued into stoppage time as Ousmane Dembele scored for France in the 90+6th minute, but Jude Bellingham sealed England’s victory with a goal two minutes later, securing a memorable 6-4 win and ending the team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high note. (ANI)
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