England beats France in 10-goal World Cup thriller to secure bronze medal; Saka hits hat-trick, Mbappé breaks record.

Bukayo Saka produced the performance of his career with a stunning hat-trick as England outlasted France 6-4 in a pulsating FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff, securing its best finish at the tournament since winning the title in 1966.

Thomas Tuchel's side made a flying start in Miami, racing into a four-goal first-half lead through Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Saka's clinical brace. England looked in complete control before France mounted a remarkable fightback after the restart.

Kylian Mbappé spearheaded Les Bleus' revival with a brace, overtaking Lionel Messi to become the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also found the net as France reduced the deficit and threatened an unlikely comeback.

However, Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute before substitute Jude Bellingham struck in stoppage time to seal England's dramatic victory and the bronze medal. The defeat also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year spell as France head coach.

The high-scoring encounter featured several notable milestones. Michael Olise registered his seventh assist of the tournament—the most by any player in a single World Cup since records began in 1966—while Mbappé's brace moved him to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts. England, meanwhile, capped its campaign with a statement win in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England 6-4 France World Cup Third-Place Match Score, Stats, Facts, Records.

The third-place playoff between France and England is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026. This match determines the bronze medalist after both teams lost in the semifinals.

* England's 6-4 win over France was the first FIFA World Cup match with 10 or more goals since Hungary's 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982 and the first knockout game to do so since Austria's 7-5 win over Switzerland in 1954.

* Bukayo Saka became only the second England player to score a World Cup knockout-stage hat-trick after Sir Geoff Hurst (1966 final) and only the third player to net a World Cup hat-trick against France after Pelé (1958).

* England scored four first-half goals in a World Cup knockout match for the first time and only the second time in any World Cup game after leading Panama 5-0 in 2018.

* France conceded six goals in a World Cup match for the first time and trailed by four goals at half-time for the first time since a 5-1 defeat to Belgium in 1930.

* England secured its second-best FIFA World Cup finish by claiming third place, behind only its 1966 triumph.

* England recorded just its second World Cup win over a higher-ranked FIFA opponent in 11 attempts, having previously beaten Argentina in 2002.

* Didier Deschamps' 187th and final match as France coach ended with his side conceding a record six goals, France's most in a game since 1960.

* Jude Bellingham set a new England record with seven goals in a single FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship tournament.

* France's 4-6 defeat to England produced the highest combined expected goals (5.7) and most shots on target (20) of the 2026 World Cup.

* Kylian Mbappé became the player with the most goal involvements (14 – 10 goals, four assists) in a single FIFA World Cup since records began in 1966.

* Michael Olise became the first player since 1966 to register seven assists in a single FIFA World Cup edition.

* Michael Olise's five assists for Kylian Mbappé set a World Cup record for the most assists provided to a single teammate in one tournament since 1966.

* Declan Rice scored England's second-fastest World Cup goal, finding the net after just 2 minutes and 14 seconds.

* England played its first major tournament match without Jordan Pickford in goal since EURO 2016, ending his record streak of 33 consecutive starts.

* England started three Arsenal players—Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze—in a World Cup match for the first time since facing Brazil in 2002.

England vs France: Head-to-head records

This is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England – the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982), but France won 2-1 in their most recent meeting in the 2022 quarterfinals.

Overall, England have won just one of their last nine matches against France (D2 L6), winning 2-0 in a November 2015 friendly.