England Beat France 6-4 in World Cup Bronze Thriller as Bukayo Saka Hits Hat-Trick

July 19, 2026: Neither Thomas Tuchel nor Didier Deschamps wanted to be playing the third-place playoff. Most football fans probably felt the same before kick-off. But no one expected this match to become the most entertaining game of the World Cup.

Ten goals, a hat-trick, a record-breaking performance from Kylian Mbappé, and a dramatic second-half comeback attempt made this an unforgettable contest. England eventually defeated France 6-4 to secure the bronze medal, while Didier Deschamps ended his remarkable journey as France coach after the final whistle.

Both managers made seven changes to their starting line-ups. Tuchel's team selection surprised everyone. Harry Kane, England's leading scorer, started on the bench. Jude Bellingham was also left out of the starting XI, while Dean Henderson replaced Jordan Pickford in goal.

Bellingham's absence from the starting line-up also hurt his chances in the Golden Boot race. With fewer minutes on the pitch, he had little opportunity to add to his goal tally.

England, however, looked full of energy from the first whistle. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, who were both left out of the semi-final, played with great determination. Their pace and movement troubled the French defence throughout the opening half.

England needed only 2 minutes and 16 seconds to open the scoring. It was the perfect start and a sign of what was to come.

The pressure continued, and in the 18th minute Declan Rice delivered a dangerous corner that Ezri Konsa powered into the net with a strong header.

France struggled to deal with England's attacks. Every time England moved forward, it looked as if another goal was coming.

Saka scored the third goal after brilliant work from Rashford. The Manchester United forward dribbled past Mike Maignan and several defenders before finding Saka inside the box. The Arsenal winger calmly finished into the empty net.

Just before half-time, Saka struck again. Eberechi Eze played a perfect pass from midfield, and Saka kept his composure to score his second goal of the evening. France's defenders were completely out of position and had no answer to England's attacking football.

England entered the break with a commanding 4-0 lead. France had never been four goals behind at half-time in a World Cup match. The game looked finished.

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England Dominate the First Half but France Fight Back

Deschamps knew changes were needed. At the start of the second half, he introduced Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Digne. The substitutions completely changed the flow of the match.

France scored only three minutes after the restart.

Michael Olise found Mbappé inside the penalty area, and the captain beat Dean Henderson with a powerful left-footed finish in the 48th minute.

The goal matched Lionel Messi's World Cup scoring record. France continued to attack with confidence. In the 54th minute, Mbappé turned provider by setting up Bradley Barcola, who finished calmly to make it 4-2.

England suddenly found themselves under constant pressure. The defence that had looked comfortable before the break now struggled to cope with France's speed and movement.

Mbappé scored again in the 66th minute after another dangerous run into the penalty area. His powerful finish gave Henderson no chance.

The goal was historic. Mbappé moved past Messi with 22 career World Cup goals, while Messi finished with 21.

He also strengthened his position in the Golden Boot race. Mbappé ended the tournament with 10 goals and four assists, ahead of Messi, who scored eight goals.

England tried to respond through AJ and Jed Spence, who both carried the ball forward several times, but they failed to convert their chances.

Bellingham's Introduction Restores England's Control

As France continued to dominate, Tuchel turned to Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson.

The substitutions immediately helped England regain control of midfield. Instead of allowing France to dictate the tempo, England slowed the game down and kept possession more effectively.

Bellingham almost scored with his first opportunity after coming on, but he could not find the target.

France continued to push more players forward in search of an equaliser. That left space behind for England's counter-attacks.

Jed Spence repeatedly used that space to break into the French penalty area. During one of those attacks, Dayot Upamecano fouled him, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Bellingham first stepped forward to take the penalty. Then he remembered that Saka was already on two goals. In a selfless gesture, he handed the ball to his teammate.

Saka calmly converted the penalty to complete a memorable hat-trick and restore England's two-goal advantage.

France refused to give up. Six minutes into stoppage time, Ousmane Dembélé scored their fourth goal after another attacking move. Suddenly, England faced a nervous finish, as one more French goal would have forced extra time.

However, after attacking relentlessly throughout the second half, France finally ran out of energy.

England took advantage of the space left behind. Deep into added time, Bellingham finished the final attack of the match to seal a thrilling 6-4 victory.

The bronze medal was not the prize either team had dreamed of before the tournament began. Yet they produced a match worthy of a World Cup final.

Saka stole the headlines with his hat-trick, Mbappé broke another World Cup record, and Bellingham changed the game after coming off the bench.

In a match neither manager wanted to play, England and France delivered a football spectacle that will be remembered as one of the greatest games of the tournament.