Third place decided at the World Cup: A total of 10 goals in the France-England match!

In the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off, England defeated France 6-4 to finish the tournament in third place. The match, played at Hard Rock Stadium, was one of the most remarkable of the tournament due to its high tempo, which saw 10 goals, and the comeback struggle in the second half.

England started the match very quickly. Thomas Tuchel's team took the lead in the 3rd minute with a goal from Declan Rice. In the 18th minute, Ezri Konsa doubled the lead from a position set up by Rice.

Bukayo Saka took the stage in the final part of the first half. Converting a pass from Marcus Rashford into a goal in the 37th minute, Saka found the net once again in the 45th minute from a position prepared by Eberechi Eze. England went into the locker room with a 4-0 lead.

FRANCE CAME BACK, SAKA SEALED THE DEAL

Didier Deschamps' substitutions at the start of the second half brought France back into the game. In the 48th minute, Kylian Mbappe reduced the deficit to three. In the 54th minute, Bradley Barcola brought the score to 2-4 with an assist from Mbappe.

As France continued their pressure, Mbappe found the goal once again in the 66th minute from a pass by Michael Olise, making the score 3-4. However, England found relief with a penalty won in the final stages. Saka, who stepped up to the spot in the 87th minute, converted his shot to complete his hat-trick.

Although France reduced the deficit to one again in the 90th minute with Ousmane Dembele, England's response was not delayed. Jude Bellingham, who had come on as a substitute in the same minutes, brought the score to 6-4 and determined the final result of the match.

With this result, England finished the 2026 World Cup in third place. Despite their strong reaction in the second half, France could not close the four-goal gap created in the first half.

News Source: 12punto