England win 6-4 over France in the third-place play-off

The FIFA World Cup 2026 reached its final moments on 18 July as France and England met at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for the third-place play-off. With the title already decided, both sides knew a win would secure a podium finish while a loss would consign them to fourth place and end their World Cup campaigns. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes clear, and the players prepared for a decisive 90-minute showdown.

How it unfolded

The match burst into life within the opening minutes. In the third minute, Declan Rice opened the scoring for England with a right-footed strike from outside the box that curled into the bottom right corner, giving the visitors an early lead. England’s momentum continued as the first half progressed, and at the 18th minute Ezri Konsa headed home from the centre of the box after a precise cross from Rice, extending the lead to 2-0.

The third-minute surge was followed by a rapid English attack at the 37th minute. Bukayo Saka received a fast-break pass from Marcus Rashford and unleashed a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, finding the high centre of the goal to make it 3-0. Just before the break, Saka added a second, this time finishing a through ball from Eberechi Eze with a left-footed strike from the centre of the box, pushing the score to 4-0 at the first-minute of stoppage time.

France responded quickly after the restart. In the 48th minute, Kylian Mbappé reduced the deficit, converting a through ball from Michael Olise with a left-footed finish from the centre of the box, bringing the score to 4-1. Six minutes later, at the 54th minute, Bradley Barcola restored parity by slotting a right-footed shot from the centre of the box after a through ball from Mbappé, making it 4-2. The French revival continued when Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute, this time from the centre of the box after another assist from Olise, narrowing the gap to 4-3.

England restored a two-goal cushion in the 87th minute when Saka converted a penalty with a left-footed shot to the bottom right corner, pushing the score to 4-5. The drama intensified in injury time. In the sixth minute of added time, Ousmane Dembélé pulled a goal back for France, finishing a fast-break move with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box after a pass from Dayot Upamecano, making it 5-5. Just two minutes later, in the eighth minute of added time, Jude Bellingham sealed England’s victory with a right-footed strike from the centre of the box following a fast break, finalising the score at 6-4.

Standout performers

  • Bukayo Saka (England) – Scored three goals, including a penalty, and was directly involved in the early dominance.
  • Kylian Mbappé (France) – Scored two goals and provided an assist, driving France’s comeback in the second half.
  • Declan Rice (England) – Opened the scoring and supplied the assist for Konsa’s second-minute header.
  • Michael Olise (England) – Delivered the decisive through balls for both of Mbappé’s goals.
  • Eberechi Eze (England) – Set up Saka’s first-half second goal with a clever through ball.
  • Dayot Upamecano (France) – Assisted Dembélé’s late equaliser.

Match facts

  • Final score: France 4-6 England
  • Scorers:
    • England – Declan Rice (3'), Ezri Konsa (18' – assist: Rice), Bukayo Saka (37' – assist: Rashford), Bukayo Saka (45+1' – assist: Eze), Bukayo Saka (penalty, 87'), Jude Bellingham (90+8')
    • France – Kylian Mbappé (48' – assist: Olise), Bradley Barcola (54' – assist: Mbappé), Kylian Mbappé (66' – assist: Olise), Ousmane Dembélé (90+6' – assist: Upamecano)
  • Bookings: None
  • Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

What it means

England’s 6-4 victory secures third place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, while France finish fourth. Both teams exit the tournament, ending their campaigns with a clear ranking on the podium.