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England defeats France 6-4 in thrilling World Cup third-place playoff

England defeated France 6-4 in the third-place playoff in Miami, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick to secure third place. Didier Deschamps concluded his 14-year tenure as France manager following the consolation match. France finishes fourth, missing a third consecutive World Cup final.

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England beats France 6-4 in third-place playoff; Deschamps ends 14-year France tenure.

England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 6-4 victory over France in Miami, Florida. The high-scoring consolation match provided both semifinal losers an opportunity to conclude their tournament campaigns with a podium finish.

Bukayo Saka delivered a standout performance with a hat-trick, anchoring England's attacking prowess throughout the fixture. Jude Bellingham added a crucial late goal to seal the result. Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France, while Ousmane Dembélé also found the net in France's comeback attempt.

Didier Deschamps concluded his 14-year tenure as France manager following the third-place match, marking a significant transition for the French federation. The result means France finishes fourth in the 2026 tournament, missing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance after reaching the championship match in 2018 and 2022.

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England's Victory

Saka leads England to third-place triumph with dominant hat-trick

Bukayo Saka's exceptional hat-trick performance anchored England's 6-4 victory, showcasing the forward's attacking brilliance in the consolation fixture. Jude Bellingham secured the result with a crucial late goal, demonstrating England's offensive depth and finishing quality throughout the match. The victory provides England a podium finish after their semifinal exit to Argentina.

France's Transition

Deschamps era ends as France exits without final appearance

Didier Deschamps concluded his 14-year France managerial tenure following the third-place playoff loss, marking an era's conclusion for the French federation. Kylian Mbappé's two goals maintained his scoring threat, yet France's fourth-place finish represents a third consecutive World Cup without reaching the championship match, ending Deschamps' legacy without a final appearance.