England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking playoff packed with goals and drama.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick as England raced into a commanding first-half lead before surviving a spirited French comeback led by Kylian Mbappé. Jude Bellingham also found the net in a pulsating contest that became one of the highest-scoring matches in World Cup history.
Despite Mbappé’s brilliance, France were unable to complete the turnaround, allowing Thomas Tuchel’s side to finish the tournament on a high with the bronze medal. The defeat also marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ long tenure as France coach.
