Here’s the latest update from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as of 2026-07-19 00:46:00.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a thrilling encounter, England triumphed over France 6-4 in the third-place playoff on Saturday, securing their best FIFA World Cup 2026 finish since 1966. Bukayo Saka’s remarkable hat trick played a significant role in this historic victory.
Early Dominance by England
England entered the halftime break with a commanding 4-0 lead. Goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and two from Saka completely dismantled a disorganized French side. Both teams made seven changes following their semifinal losses, but France’s Didier Deschamps, in his final match after 14 years, opted to introduce four substitutes at halftime, including Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, in search of a comeback.
France’s Fightback
The second half saw France come out with renewed vigor, as Kylian Mbappé quickly scored just three minutes after the restart, cutting the deficit with a left-footed shot. Six minutes later, Mbappé assisted Barcola, who scored inside the near post, before striking again himself, marking his 10th goal of the tournament.
Mbappé’s dazzling performance moved him ahead of Lionel Messi on the men’s all-time World Cup scoring list, reaching 22 goals. Despite a missed opportunity from Olise, who failed to equalize from a prime position, England eventually regained control.
A decisive penalty was awarded in the 87th minute when Djed Spence was fouled in the box. Saka stepped up to convert, becoming only the fourth English player to score a hat trick in World Cup history. France responded yet again as Dembélé found the net, but Jude Bellingham sealed England’s triumph, becoming the first Englishman to score seven goals in a single World Cup campaign with his late strike.
This intense match set a record for the most goals in a World Cup game since Hungary’s 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982.
Information from ESPN’s Global Sports Research contributed to this report.
FAQs
What was the score of the third-place playoff between England and France?
England won 6-4 against France in the thrilling third-place playoff.
Who scored a hat trick for England in this match?
Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick, significantly contributing to England’s victory.
Key Facts
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- Source: www.espn.com – SOCCER
- Published: 2026-07-19 00:46:00
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Tags: #England #hold #France #instant #World #Cup #classic #win #thirdplace #playoff
Tags: #England #hold #France #instant #World #Cup #classic #win #thirdplace #playoff
