MIAMI – England claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, defeating France 6-4 in a match that produced a flurry of goals and provided a dramatic conclusion to both teams’ tournament campaigns. The victory, secured in the third-place playoff held in Miami, saw England finish their World Cup run on a high note.
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 minute. Bukayo Saka then extended the lead with goals in the 37th minute and during first-half stoppage time, putting England firmly in control.
France mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, scoring four goals to narrow the deficit. Kylian Mbappe found the net twice, and Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele each added a goal. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome England’s substantial lead. Saka completed his hat trick and sealed the victory for England with his third goal in the 87th minute.
The match’s 10-goal total made it one of the highest-scoring third-place playoff games in World Cup history, offering spectators an entertaining display of attacking football. For England, the bronze medal represents a significant achievement, capping their performance in the quadrennial tournament.
The game also marked the final match for Didier Deschamps as the manager of the French national team, concluding a notable chapter in his coaching career. England made seven changes to their lineup from the semifinal match, providing opportunities for several players to feature in the bronze medal contest.
