England and France produced one of the most dramatic matches of the World Cup as the Three Lions defeated Les Bleus 6-4 in a 10-goal bronze-medal thriller, with Bukayo Saka stealing the show with a sensational hat-trick.
Expected to be a low-key encounter after their painful semi-final exits, the bronze-medal showdown instead exploded into a record-breaking classic featuring 10 goals, thrilling attacks and late drama.
The victory secured England’s highest finish at a men’s World Cup since lifting the trophy in 1966 and marked their best-ever World Cup performance on foreign soil. It also became the highest-scoring third-place playoff in the tournament’s history, eclipsing the previous record set in 1958.
Still reeling from their painful semi-final defeat to Argentina, Thomas Tuchel’s side showed no signs of a hangover as they stormed into a commanding four-goal lead before half-time.
Captain Declan Rice opened the scoring inside three minutes after intercepting a misplaced pass before driving forward and rifling home from the edge of the area. The midfielder then turned provider moments later as his corner was glanced in by Ezri Konsa to double England’s advantage.
France’s defensive frailties were punished again as Saka finished off a lightning counterattack after Mike Maignan had initially denied him, before the Arsenal winger struck again in first-half stoppage time, latching onto Eberechi Eze’s through ball to send England into the break with an astonishing 4-0 lead.
It was the first time France had found themselves four goals behind at half-time since 1930, leaving Didier Deschamps with a mountain to climb in what proved to be his final game as France manager.
Les Bleus emerged transformed after the restart.
Kylian Mbappe ignited hopes of an unlikely comeback with a clinical finish before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further just six minutes later. Mbappe struck again midway through the second half to make it 4-3, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals.
The brace saw the French superstar move ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot while also becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 career goals. He also became the first player to score 10 goals at a men’s World Cup since Germany legend Gerd Muller achieved the feat in 1970.
France piled on the pressure and squandered several gilt-edged opportunities to draw level, but England struck the decisive blow three minutes from time.
After Djed Spence was brought down by Malo Gusto inside the penalty area, Saka calmly converted from the spot to complete his hat-trick, becoming only the second England men’s player after Sir Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final to score three goals in a World Cup knockout match.
Ousmane Dembele curled home in stoppage time to make it 5-4 and set up a frantic finale, but Jude Bellingham ensured there would be no miraculous comeback. The midfielder embarked on a dazzling run from midfield, skipped past Maxence Lacroix and coolly slotted past Maignan with virtually the last kick of the match to seal England’s memorable victory.
Bellingham ended a superb tournament with seven goals, the most ever scored by an England men’s player at a single World Cup.
Tuchel, whose substitutions and tactics came under intense scrutiny following the semi-final defeat to Argentina, made seven changes to his starting lineup, including leaving Harry Kane and Bellingham on the bench from the outset. The reshuffle paid immediate dividends as England produced an attacking display many supporters wished had been seen earlier in the tournament.
Saka, who had been limited by fitness concerns throughout the World Cup and barely featured in the semi-final, delivered a man-of-the-match performance that will inevitably fuel questions over why he was not given a bigger role against Argentina.
The contest also entered the history books as one of the highest-scoring matches ever played at a World Cup, featuring 38 shots and 20 efforts on target, while no England match at the tournament has ever produced more goals.
For France, the defeat brought the curtain down on Didier Deschamps’ remarkable tenure after 187 matches in charge. Although his side produced a spirited second-half revival, they became the first France team ever to concede six goals in a World Cup match, ending an era in dramatic and unforgettable fashion.
