Kathmandu, July 19: England claimed third place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France, inspired by a stunning hat-trick from winger Bukayo Saka, in the third-place playoff on Sunday.
At Miami Stadium, Saka starred with three goals, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Jude Bellingham each found the net to complete England’s emphatic win. For France, Kylian Mbappé scored twice, with Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé adding one goal apiece.
England made a dream start when Rice opened the scoring in the third minute. The Three Lions doubled their advantage in the 18th minute, as Konsa headed home from Rice’s corner.
Saka made it 3-0 in the 37th minute, finishing off a pass from Marcus Rashford, before adding his second goal in first-half stoppage time to give England a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
France responded immediately after the restart, with Mbappé pulling one back in the 48th minute from a pass by Michael Olise. Just six minutes later, Mbappé turned provider as Barcola reduced the deficit to 4-2.
The comeback looked well and truly on when Mbappé scored his second goal of the match in the 66th minute, again assisted by Olise, making it 4-3. The brace also saw Mbappé become the leading scorer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
However, England regained control late in the game. Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute, restoring a two-goal cushion at 5-3.
Dembélé scored deep into stoppage time to make it 5-4, but Bellingham sealed England’s victory moments later with another goal in the 98th minute, ensuring a memorable 6-4 triumph.
England’s victory secured third place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, while France finished fourth.
Attention now turns to the tournament final, where defending champions Argentina will face 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain for the coveted title later today.
