England outlasted France 6-4 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Third-Place, Bronze-Medal Game at Miami Stadium on Saturday. It was the last of seven games played in this year's tournament at South Florida.
Both nations combined with 10 goals for the highest-scoring World Cup game since 1982 in a World Cup game. France finished among the top four positions of the World Cup tournament for the third straight occasion. England, who competed in the third-place contest for the second time in the past three tournaments, ended up in third for the first time ever in the World Cup.
In the first half, England stormed out to a 1-0 lead in the third minute of play. Declan Rice put a tally from 22 yards with his right foot for his first goal in the tournament.
England expanded their lead to 2-0 in the 18th minute. Ezri Konsa was able to score on a header from eight yards out.
It became 3-0 for England in the 37th minute. Bukayo Saka one-timed a left-footed shot from nine yards away into an empty net.
England picked up another goal during stoppage time at the end of the first half and led 4-0. Saka ripped an 18-yard shot with his left foot.
In the second half, France mounted a comeback. Kylian Mbappe scored in the 48th minute for his ninth goal in this year's tournament. They made it 4-2 in the 54th minute. Bradley Barcola was able to find the net on a shot.
France closed it to 4-3 during the 66th minute of play. Mbappe blasted a left-footed from 15 yards away for his second goal of the contest and tournament-leading 10th goal for the Golden Boot Award. He also past Lionel Messi of Argentina with his all-time record 22nd career World Cup goal.
England regained a two-goal lead 5-3 in the 87th minute. Saka collected a hat trick as he placed in a penalty kick with left foot into the bottom right corner of the cage.
France cut the deficit to 5-4 in stoppage time. Ousmane Dembele helped his country when he curled a left-footed shot from 14 yards away.
England clinched the game 6-4 during the final minute of stoppage time in the second half. Jude Bellingham dribbled into the penalty area and released a right-footed shot from seven yards out.