In a ten-goal thriller, England discomfited France 6-4 in the third place match on Saturday 18 July, 2026 at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, United States (US) to emerge third in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka, netted three (3) times for England, and, Kylian Mbappe found the net two (2) times for France.
France were favourites for the trophy heading into the semi finals, however, were beaten 0-2 by a dominant Spain in the contest, while, England were just few minutes to the final of the tournament, but, gave up their lead to Argentina in the last four match.
The Argentines capitalized after Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions sat deep after taking the lead, and converted two (2) assists from Inter Miami forward, Lionel Messi, to win 2-1. The White and Sky Blue netted both goals inside seven (7) minutes.
England were four (4) goals ahead in the first 45 minutes, with Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice, opening the scoring early, in the 3rd minute, and it was followed by a goal from Ezri Konsa, and a brace from Saka, in the 18th, 37th and 45+1 minutes respectively.
But, France came charging after the break and found the back of the net three times with the scoreline 3-4. Mbappe opened the scoring for Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus in the 48th minute, Bradley Barcola netted the second in the 54th minute and Mbappe completed his brace and third for France in the 66th minute.
It looked like the Frenchmen were coming back in the showdown, but, all that rage was doused when Saka found his hat-trick and fifth for the Three Lions late, in the 87th minute, from the penalty spot to make it 3-5.
Ballon d’Or 2025 winner, Ousmane Dembele, collected Bayern Munich defender, Dayot Upamecano’s assist and converted the fourth for the Les Blues in the 6th minute of additional time.
But, it was Tuchel’s sidea that netted last in the 8th minute of additional time through Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, to finish the Bronze final as winners.
Spain and Argentina will do battle for the World Cup trophy in the final on Sunday 19 July, 2026 in New York State, United States (US) at 22:00 (WAT).
Currently, with his brace against England, Mbappe has now emerged the World Cup all-time leading goalscorer with twenty-two (22) goals, trailed by Messi with twenty-one (21).
The former Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) forward now has ten (10) goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026, leading the chart of goalscorers which places him ahead of Messi, who has eight (8) goals, for the Golden Boot.
The outcome on Saturday night in Miami against France means England have achieved their best finish in the World Cup since emerging triumphant (Champions) in the tournament in 1966. It is also their best result on foreign soil.
The #ThreeLions' best-ever World Cup finish on foreign soil 👊 pic.twitter.com/AUVdkZzAGB
— England (@England) July 18, 2026
Photo: England manager, Thomas Tuchel, and England Players wear their bronze medals as they take a shot on the podium during their third place victory ceremony after the match in Miami, US | Marco Bello/Reuters
