FLORIDA, USA, July 18.
England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after
defeating France 6-4 in a dramatic bronze-medal match in Miami that
produced one of the tournament's most entertaining contests.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham
scored England's sixth goal to become the country's all-time
leading scorer in a single World Cup campaign.
The Three Lions dominated the opening half, racing into a 4-0
lead. Captain Declan Rice opened the scoring in the third minute
with a powerful long-range strike before providing the corner that
Ezri Konsa converted to double England's advantage. Saka then added
two goals before halftime, giving England complete control heading
into the break.
France responded strongly after the interval. Following several
tactical changes by head coach Didier Deschamps, Kylian Mbappe
scored twice, with Bradley Barcola also finding the net to cut the
deficit to 4-3 and set up a tense finish.
England regained momentum after the introductions of Jude
Bellingham and Elliot Anderson. In the 87th minute, Saka calmly
converted a penalty to complete his hat-trick and restore a
two-goal cushion.
Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for France deep into stoppage
time, but England sealed victory moments later when Bellingham
finished off a swift counterattack with the final kick of the
match.
The 6-4 triumph earned England the World Cup bronze medal and
marked the team's best tournament finish since reaching the final,
while Bellingham's seventh goal of the competition saw him surpass
Harry Kane and Gary Lineker for the most goals scored by an England
player in a single World Cup.
