England secured the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking third-place play-off in Miami, ending Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign as Les Bleus manager with defeat.
Thomas Tuchel’s side made a flying start despite the absence of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham from the starting line-up. England scored after just three minutes when stand-in captain Declan Rice intercepted a loose pass from Désiré Doué before drilling a superb effort into the far corner from outside the area.
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The Three Lions doubled their advantage in the 18th minute as Ezri Konsa powered home Rice’s corner. Bukayo Saka then added a third after Marcus Rashford led a swift counter-attack, with the Arsenal winger finishing after both players had initially been denied.
England completed a remarkable first half in stoppage time. Eberechi Eze released Saka through on goal, and the winger calmly slotted past Mike Maignan to make it 4-0 before the half-time break.
France came out with renewed purpose after Deschamps made four substitutions at half-time. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 48th minute after being picked out by Michael Olise, moving clear in the race for the Golden Boot.
Mbappe then turned provider six minutes later, setting up substitute Bradley Barcola to reduce the deficit further.
France continued to push, and Mbappe scored again in the 66th minute from another Olise assist. The goal took his tally at the FIFA World Cup to 22 in just 22 appearances, moving him past Lionel Messi’s 21 goals in 33 matches to become the outright leading scorer in World Cup history.
England steadied themselves before restoring a two-goal cushion late on. Djed Spence won a penalty after being brought down by Malo Gusto, and Saka converted from the spot in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick.
Ousmane Dembele made it 5-4 deep into stoppage time, but England had the final say. Jude Bellingham, introduced in the second half, broke clear to score England’s sixth in the 98th minute, sealing victory and confirming the Three Lions’ best finish at a World Cup since lifting the trophy in 1966.
