England secure third place at World Cup with 6-4 victory over France in Miami
England have finished third at the World Cup after beating France in a wild match they might have lost after being 4-0 up at half-time. France responded to get within a goal at 4-3, then made it 5-4 after Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, before a brilliant individual effort by the substitute Jude Bellingham set the seal on a remarkable, thrilling encounter. With the pressure lifted on both teams after their semi-final exits, they produced a highly entertaining match which could have ended with almost any number of goals as attack got the better of defence from start t
England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff in Miami, securing third place in the tournament for the first time. The match featured ten goals and a late surge from the French side that ultimately fell short.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, including a late penalty, to seal the victory for England. Declan Rice, captaining the side despite an ongoing injury, and Ezri Konsa also found the net in a dominant first half, before Jude Bellingham added his seventh goal of the tournament after coming off the bench.
France mounted a significant comeback in the second half, driven by Kylian Mbappé. The 27-year-old scored twice, becoming the first male player to reach double figures in World Cup goals since Gerd Müller in 1970, while Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also scored.
The result marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as France manager. Mbappé publicly acknowledged the departing coach before kick-off, writing on social media that it was his "last dance" after leading the team to a world title in 2018 and a near-miss four years later.
For England, the victory offers a brief respite following their semi-final defeat to Argentina, but manager Thomas Tuchel faces mounting pressure. Despite signing a contract extension and expressing a desire to lead the team at Euro 2028 on home soil, Tuchel was met with pre-match boos from some supporters after defending his semi-final decisions.
The heavy minutes played by key assets will raise concerns among club executives monitoring player welfare and future valuations. Arsenal will be particularly frustrated to see Saka start the match, compounding existing anxieties over how long William Saliba will be sidelined with a back injury.
Squad selection anomalies further highlighted the physical toll of the tournament. The Football Association listed midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as injured, while Jordan Henderson remained among the substitutes despite sustaining a broken arm while celebrating England’s win over Mexico.
Both teams made seven changes from their semi-final lineups, attempting to reset after their respective exits. England ultimately proved more resilient in Miami, closing out a chaotic campaign with a historic third-place finish.
