By Seyi Gesinde
July 18, 2026
England secured the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking third place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, producing one of the most entertaining matches in World Cup history and rewriting several tournament records.
What is traditionally regarded as the “game nobody wants to play” turned into one of the defining spectacles of the tournament.
Both teams delivered a 10 goal thriller that underlined why the World Cup’s third place playoff continues to divide opinion while still producing unforgettable football.
The encounter became the highest scoring third place match in FIFA World Cup history.
Bukayo Saka inspired England with a sensational hat trick, becoming only the fourth English player to score three goals in a World Cup match.
He also became the first England player to score a World Cup knockout stage hat trick since Sir Geoff Hurst’s famous treble in the 1966 final.
Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham were also on target as Thomas Tuchel’s side stormed into a 4,0 first half lead before surviving an extraordinary French comeback.
France, led by Kylian Mbappe, refused to surrender.
Mbappe struck twice, while Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele added goals to reduce the deficit, threatening one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history.
ALSO READ: Mbappé brace leads France to 3-1 win over Senegal in World Cup opener
England, however, held their nerve.
Saka converted a late penalty before Bellingham sealed victory in stoppage time.
Beyond the result, the match carried enormous historical significance.
England’s victory marked their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966.
It also reinforced the progress made under Thomas Tuchel despite the disappointment of their semi final defeat to Argentina.
For France, the defeat brought the curtain down on Didier Deschamps’ remarkable reign as head coach.
Although Les Bleus finished fourth, Deschamps leaves as one of the most successful managers in French football history, having guided the nation to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 final and another semi final appearance in 2026.
The third place playoff has been part of the FIFA World Cup since 1934.
It determines the bronze medallist, contributes to FIFA rankings, affects prize money distribution and can influence individual honours such as the Golden Boot.
Despite frequent criticism from players and coaches who see it as a consolation fixture, the match has repeatedly produced memorable contests.
England embraced the occasion.
Instead of treating it as an afterthought, the Three Lions delivered a performance that transformed a consolation fixture into a statement victory, one that will be remembered as one of the greatest third place matches in FIFA World Cup history.
