Miami, FL – England captured the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff match. The contest, played in Miami on July 18, became one of the highest-scoring matches of its kind in World Cup history.
England established a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime, demonstrating early dominance. Declan Rice opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed by a goal from Ezri Konsa in the 18th. Bukayo Saka then extended the lead with goals in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time, leaving France with a significant deficit to overcome.
Despite the substantial halftime gap, France mounted a spirited second-half comeback. Kylian Mbappe scored twice for the French side, and Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele also found the back of the net. However, their efforts were not enough to close the scoring gap, and Saka completed his hat trick with a late goal in the 87th minute to seal England’s victory.
The match also served as the final game for Didier Deschamps as the manager of the French national team, concluding a significant chapter for the squad. England made seven changes to their lineup from the semifinal, a tactical decision that did not hinder their offensive output in this final fixture.
The victory not only secured a bronze medal for England but also provided a dramatic and entertaining conclusion to the tournament for fans. The offensive fireworks displayed by both teams underscored the attacking talent on display throughout the World Cup.
