Key Takeaways
- Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to help England defeat France 6-4.
- Kylian Mbappe scored twice, tying the all-time World Cup scoring record.
- This was the highest-scoring third-place playoff match in World Cup history.
England secured their best World Cup finish since 1966 with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France on Saturday. The match, played in Miami, saw Bukayo Saka score his first hat-trick to help England overcome a stunning French fightback.
The game was a madcap affair, with both teams struggling to defend as they focused more on attacking. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa gave England the perfect start by scoring early goals, leading 2-0 after just 18 minutes. Saka added another goal in the first half, making it 3-0.
However, France’s Kylian Mbappe changed the course of the match with two crucial goals in the second half, bringing his tournament tally to 10 and tying Lionel Messi for the all-time World Cup top scorer record at 22. His second goal came just three minutes before Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Despite France’s late efforts, England held on to secure third place with substitute Jude Bellingham scoring a stoppage-time goal to add to his seven goals at the tournament, the most by an England player in a single World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his team's performance, saying, 'We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks… I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again.'
The 10 goals scored in the match were the highest for a third-place playoff match, surpassing France’s 6-3 victory over West Germany at the 1958 tournament. Tuchel’s side attacked from kickoff, with Rice scoring the first goal after just three minutes and Konsa heading home another from a corner.
Deschamps put out a second-string defence for France, likely stung by criticism of England's passivity in their semi-final loss to Argentina. However, Mbappe’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he took his tournament tally to 10 goals and tied Messi for the all-time World Cup top scorer record.
The match showcased the high level of skill and determination from both teams but ultimately ended with England securing third place. The victory will be a source of pride for the English team, who have created something special during this World Cup.
We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half.
Thomas Tuchel, England manager
In the first half, I can understand those who say we were taking the piss, that we didn’t respect the shirt. I would say instead that we were human. Unfortunately, we were completely stunned. They gave us a proper wake-up call.
Kylian Mbappe, France player
