England secures third place at World Cup 2026 in 10-goal thriller

By Ngozi Eze — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

England secured third place at the World Cup 2026 after a high-scoring victory against France in Miami. The match, described as a “10-goal thriller,” saw Bukayo Saka achieve a hat-trick, contributing significantly to England’s best World Cup finish since 1966.

The Three Lions established a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime. Declan Rice opened the scoring with a long-range effort, followed by Ezri Konsa’s header from a corner. Saka then added two goals, with the second coming after a counterattack that left the French goal exposed. Eberechi Eze provided an assist for Saka’s second goal.

However, France mounted a strong comeback in the second half. Kylian Mbappé scored almost immediately after the break, reducing England’s lead to 4-1. Bradley Barcola added another goal, and Mbappé scored again, bringing the score to 4-3. Mbappé’s second goal in the match made him the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 career goals, surpassing Lionel Messi.

Olise, who tied Pelé’s record for most assists in a single World Cup with six, missed two opportunities to equalize for France. England capitalized on these missed chances when Djed Spence earned a penalty after a challenge from Malo Gusto. Saka converted the penalty in the 87th minute, completing his hat-trick and extending England’s lead to 5-3.

The drama continued as substitute Ousmane Dembélé scored for France in the 96th minute. However, England’s substitute Jude Bellingham sealed the victory two minutes later with the 10th goal of the game, dribbling past three defenders before scoring. This was Bellingham’s seventh goal of the tournament, setting a new record for an England player at a World Cup.

England’s historic finish and individual achievements

The 6-4 win marks England’s highest World Cup finish since 1966. The performance, particularly Saka’s hat-trick, was a highlight. Saka’s three goals were his first of the competition, showcasing his potential. His composure from the penalty spot was noted, especially given his past experiences with the national team.

The match also saw Mbappé’s record-breaking achievement, becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. His 10 goals in the tournament also placed him in control of the Golden Boot race. Olise’s six assists tied a World Cup record.

Despite the excitement of the bronze medal match, there was a sense of frustration among some England fans regarding the semi-final loss to Argentina, where Saka was an unused substitute. The team’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, whose name was booed before the match, will likely find hope in this performance as England looks towards the Euros in 2028, which they will host.

Match reflections and future outlook

The game was characterized by its open and thrilling nature, with England’s early dominance nearly undone by France’s second-half resurgence. The resilience shown by England in securing the win was a notable aspect of their performance. The match featured a total of 10 goals, making it a memorable encounter for fans.

The victory provides a positive conclusion to England’s World Cup campaign, marking their best finish in decades. The individual performances of players like Saka and Bellingham, alongside Mbappé’s record-breaking feat, added to the significance of the bronze medal match. France will reportedly be led by Zinedine Zidane in the 2028 Euros.

The attendance for the FIFA World Cup 3rd/4th Play-Off at Hard Rock Stadium was 64,478.

Source: skysports.com