England claimed third place at the 2026 World Cup with a stunning 6-4 victory over France in a ten-goal thriller at Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The match produced relentless attacking football, with England building a commanding four-goal lead inside the opening 45 minutes before France mounted a spirited second-half comeback that ultimately fell short.
England's Blistering First Half
The contest was barely three minutes old when Declan Rice opened the scoring, driving a right-footed shot home to give England an early lead. France attempted to respond — Kylian Mbappé had a right-footed effort blocked from the left side of the box in the fifth minute, assisted by Adrien Rabiot — but it was England who continued to press.
A second goal arrived on 18 minutes through an unlikely source. Ezri Konsa met a Declan Rice cross from a corner with a header into the bottom right corner, making it 2-0. France struggled to contain the tempo England were setting, and conceded again on 37 minutes when Bukayo Saka finished from the left side of the box following a quick counterattack to extend the lead to three.
The first half's damage was completed in added time. Saka struck again from the centre of the box in the 45th minute to leave France trailing 4-0 at the interval. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan had made saves to deny Marcus Rashford twice, but could not prevent the four-goal deficit. England's Dean Henderson had been tested too, turning away Rayan Cherki's effort in the 11th minute.
France's Second-Half Response
France made four substitutions at the break, introducing Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Digne, and Dayot Upamecano, signalling clear intent to change the match. The revival began almost immediately. Kylian Mbappé scored from the centre of the box on 48 minutes after a fast break to make it 1-4, and Bradley Barcola halved the deficit further on 54 minutes, converting from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner after a Mbappé through ball.
Mbappé was not done. He scored again on 66 minutes from the centre of the box to bring France within one goal at 3-4, and for a period the match was genuinely in the balance. England, however, had sufficient composure and attacking threat to respond. Substitutes Ollie Watkins and Jude Bellingham were introduced, and England continued to threaten through Saka and the in-form Eberechi Eze.
Penalty and Late Drama
The decisive moment arrived on 85 minutes when Malo Gusto was adjudged to have fouled Djed Spence in the penalty area, resulting in a spot kick. Bukayo Saka stepped up and converted his penalty with a left-footed finish to restore England's two-goal advantage, making it 5-3.
France found one more goal late in stoppage time — Ousmane Dembélé scored from the centre of the box in the 90+6th minute to make it 4-5 — but it was too little too late. The match ended 6-4 to England, who claimed third place at the 2026 World Cup.
Malo Gusto had a difficult afternoon for France, conceding three fouls and ultimately giving away the penalty that sealed England's win. Mbappé finished with three goals in a losing effort. For England, Saka's hat-trick and Rice's early strike set the platform for a victory that, despite France's rally, was never truly surrendered.
