Jude Bellingham (1st L) of England celebrates scoring during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
MIAMI, United States, July 18 (Xinhua) -- England beat France 6-4 to claim the World Cup third place on Saturday, its best finish at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 1966.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and moved two clear of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. He also surpassed Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record.
England opened the account just three minutes into the game when Declan Rice drove into the French half and hammered home a stunning right-footed strike. France attempted to respond in the 11th minute, but Rayan Cherki's long-range effort was well saved by Dean Henderson.
The Three Lions thought they had doubled their lead shortly after, only for Bukayo Saka to be ruled offside. They did make it 2-0 in the 18th minute when Rice swung a corner into the box and Ezri Konsa headed in.
In the 37th minute, Marcus Rashford's one-on-one effort was stopped by Mike Maignan. The rebound fell to the onrushing Saka, whose follow-up was blocked by Maxence Lacroix before Rashford supplied the final touch for Saka to make it 3-0.
Things went from bad to worse for Les Bleus before the break as Eberechi Eze threaded a pinpoint pass to Saka, who drifted inside and finished neatly from 16 metres to give England a 4-0 lead.
France coach Didier Deschamps made four changes at half-time and finally pulled one back in the 48th minute as Mbappe slotted home Michael Olise's cross.
In the 54th minute, substitute Bradley Barcola cut the deficit, firing a clinical shot into the near corner.
Mbappe grabbed his second in the 66th minute after a wonderful one-two with Olise, leaving France needing one more to level.
England was awarded a penalty in the 87th minute. Jude Bellingham, who had initially picked up the ball, handed it to Saka. The winger stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to complete a hat-trick.
France made it 5-4 in the stoppage time with Ousmane Dembele's left-footed strike before Bellingham wrapped it up 6-4 from close range. ■
Kylian Mbappe (top) of France competes during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Mike Maignan (top), goalkeeper of France, fails to make a save during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Djed Spence (1st L) of England competes during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Referees, players of France and England are seen before the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Michael Olise (L) of France shoots the ball during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Declan Rice (bottom) of England shoots to score during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Bradley Barcola (1st R) of France shoots the ball during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Declan Rice (1st R) of England shoots to score during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates his goal during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Mike Maignan (1st L), goalkeeper of France, makes a save during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Bukayo Saka of England scores a penalty kick during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Bukayo Saka (R) of England celebrates scoring a penalty with teammate Jude Bellingham during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of England celebrate during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Kylian Mbappe (top) of France competes during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Referees, players of France and England are seen before the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
Bukayo Saka (C) of England celebrates scoring a penalty with teammate Jude Bellingham (L) and Reece James during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of England celebrate a goal during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Jude Bellingham of England celebrates scoring during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Jude Bellingham of England celebrates scoring during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Bradley Barcola (front) of France reacts during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Bukayo Saka (L) of England scores a penalty during the bronze final match between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, the United States, July 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
