The essentials
England beats France 6-4 in World Cup third-place match with Saka's hat-trick.
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 claims third place with dominant scoring display
England concluded its 2026 World Cup campaign on a high note, securing third place through an offensive masterclass. Bukayo Saka's hat-trick and Jude Bellingham's late goal provided the attacking firepower to overcome France's comeback efforts. The podium finish represents a strong consolation after the semifinal defeat to Argentina, establishing England as a tournament force despite missing the final.
France finishes fourth as Deschamps era concludes
France exits the 2026 World Cup without a podium finish, marking the fourth consecutive major tournament absence from the championship stage. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé provided attacking responses, but England's superior finishing proved decisive. Didier Deschamps ends his 14-year managerial tenure with the third-place loss, leaving the federation to navigate a transition period.