International Sports
England beat France in 6-4 thriller to claim World Cup third place
The 10-goal encounter set a new record as the highest-scoring third-place play-off in World Cup history, while England also became the first team to score six goals against France in a World Cup match.
England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France, recording their best finish at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 1966.
The Three Lions stormed into a 4-0 half-time lead through goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and a first-half brace from Bukayo Saka, leaving France facing a four-goal deficit at the break for the first time since 1930.
France mounted an impressive comeback in the second half as Kylian Mbappe scored twice, with Bradley Barcola also finding the net to reduce the gap to 4-3. Mbappe’s brace took his overall World Cup tally to 22 goals, moving him ahead of Lionel Messi as the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
England regained control late in the match when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Djed Spence was brought down inside the area. Ousmane Dembele responded in stoppage time to make it 5-4 before Jude Bellingham sealed the victory with England’s sixth goal in the 98th minute.
Saka became only the second England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout match, following Geoff Hurst’s famous treble in the 1966 final.
Bellingham also enjoyed a memorable tournament, finishing with seven goals — the most ever scored by an England men’s player at a single World Cup.
The 10-goal encounter set a new record as the highest-scoring third-place play-off in World Cup history, while England also became the first team to score six goals against France in a World Cup match.