England claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a remarkable third place playoff, with Bukayo Saka producing a sensational hat trick in the highest scoring match of the tournament so far.
The Three Lions looked set for a comfortable afternoon after racing into a stunning 4-0 lead before halftime, only for France to mount a spirited comeback that briefly threatened an extraordinary turnaround.
England eventually held their nerve, with late goals from Saka and Jude Bellingham ensuring they finished their campaign on a high.
Thomas Tuchel’s side made a blistering start and overwhelmed Les Bleus from the opening whistle. Saka struck twice during the opening period, while Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice also found the net as England tore through the French defence.
The four goal advantage was historic. It marked the first time France had ever trailed by four goals at halftime in a FIFA World Cup match, leaving Didier Deschamps’ side facing an almost impossible task after the break.
France Mount Spirited Fight Back
France refused to surrender and produced an inspired response in the second half. Captain Kylian Mbappé sparked the revival with his first goal before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further. Mbappé then completed his brace to bring the score to 4-3 by the 68th minute, setting up a dramatic finale.
Michael Olise came agonisingly close to drawing France level, but twice saw excellent opportunities flash inches wide of Dean Henderson’s goal as England survived the mounting pressure.
England restored their breathing space when Djed Spence was brought down inside the penalty area by Malo Gusto. Saka calmly converted from the spot to complete his hat trick and become only the fourth England player to score three goals in a men’s FIFA World Cup match.
Ousmane Dembélé ensured there would be more late drama by scoring France’s fourth goal and his sixth of the tournament, but substitute Jude Bellingham ended any hopes of a France comeback. The midfielder danced through the French defence in stoppage time before finishing confidently to seal England’s emphatic 6-4 victory.
The ten goal thriller became the highest scoring match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with only the final left to be played.
Saka also joined an exclusive list of England legends to score a World Cup hat trick, following Geoff Hurst against West Germany in 1966, Gary Lineker against Poland in 1986 and Harry Kane against Panama in 2018.
Mbappé Surpasses Messi’s All-time WC Top Scorer Record
Despite finishing on the losing side, Kylian Mbappé enjoyed another landmark afternoon by becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
His two goals against England took his overall World Cup tally to 22, moving him one clear of Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain had set the all time record earlier in the tournament after beating Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s 16, but Mbappé claimed the honour before the competition reaches its conclusion.
The Real Madrid forward also strengthened his grip on the race for the Adidas Golden Boot. His brace lifted him to 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, putting him two clear of Messi ahead of the final between Argentina and Spain.
Messi now requires at least a hat trick in the final to finish outright as the tournament’s leading scorer. Mbappé has already surpassed the eight goals that earned him the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and is now on course to retain the award in consecutive editions.
Olise Breaks Pele Longstanding World Cup Assist Record
France midfielder Michael Olise also etched his name into FIFA World Cup history despite his nation’s defeat.
The 24-year-old registered his seventh assist of the 2026 tournament, breaking the long standing record of six set by Brazilian legend Pelé during the 1970 FIFA World Cup.
Olise’s creativity has been one of the defining stories of France’s campaign, consistently providing opportunities for teammates throughout the tournament.
Although Les Bleus ultimately fell short against England in the bronze medal match, the midfielder leaves the competition as the outright holder of one of the World Cup’s most prestigious playmaking records.
Before Olise’s achievement, Pelé’s six assists in 1970 had stood alone at the top for more than five decades. Other notable single tournament assist totals include Robert Gadocha of Poland in 1974, Pierre Littbarski of West Germany in 1982, Diego Maradona of Argentina in 1986 and Thomas Häßler of Germany in 1994, who each recorded five assists.
While England celebrated a memorable bronze medal triumph, the match will also be remembered as a day when Saka, Mbappé and Olise each wrote their names into World Cup history with record breaking performances.
READ ALSO: Justice Will Be Served in Adu-Boahene’s GHC49.1 Million Trial, Dep. AG
