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It’s the game no one ever wants to play, but there was still plenty to play for England and France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third place match on Saturday.
Both teams took the field at Miami Stadium (also known as Hard Rock Stadium) after heavy defeats in the semifinals: France against Spain and England against defending champions Argentina.
France were looking to redeem themselves after falling short in a tournament where they were widely considered favorites. In addition, this match was an opportunity for French star Kylian Mbappe to overtake Argentinian Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Shoe.
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England’s Bukayo Saka scores during the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze medal match. (Photo by José Breton/Action Pics/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
However, they were facing an England team that had played well throughout the tournament and had a 2-1 record against them in World Cup matches. Their two most offensively potent players in this tournament, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both started the match on the bench.
Well, early on it appeared that England had enough offensive firepower to get things going.
In the 3rd minute, Declan Rice hit Paydirt to open the scoring.
Only ten minutes later, England put another in the back of the net; however, he was ruled offside.
But even with the big guns sitting on the bench, England were by far the more productive team offensively early on, with Ezri Konsa adding another from a corner in the 18th minute.
But why not make three?
In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka scored a goal that certainly wasn’t how the Three Lions would have done it, but it still counted.
And while you’re at it, Mr. Saka, add another one for good measure.
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England took a 4-0 lead into halftime after one of the most lopsided first halves of the tournament, and few expected France to be the target, especially with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham still on the bench.
And frankly, it could have been worse.
France bounced back from a nightmarish first half and star Kylian Mbappe scored twice to take the lead in the Golden Boot race and make history. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
Fortunately for France, they did exactly what was needed and came out strong in the second half. Mbappe scored them in the 48th minute and moved himself ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, and even with him in career World Cup goals at 21.
Then, a few minutes later, Frenchman Bradley Barcola added another to make it 4-2.
So while the first half was all about England, the second was all about France, and in the 66th minute Mbappe made it 4-3, while extending his Golden Boot lead and taking first place on the all-time World Cup goals list.
What. A. Correspondence.
Who cares about third place, right?
England’s Jude Bellingham and Reece James celebrate Bukayo Saka’s (centre) third goal of the bronze medal final match in Miami. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
But after having several chances to equalize, England were awarded a penalty, and it went to Bukayo Saka, who buried it for the hat trick and to give England some breathing space late in the match.
It’s hard to believe he didn’t play a single minute in the semi-final loss to Argentina, isn’t it?
And this room for maneuver was important, because France was not going to go quietly.
But England responded immediately with a beauty from Jude Bellingham, her seventh of the tournament, and that was all she wrote.
Amazing.
This is the most goals scored in a third-place match at the World Cup, surpassing that in 1958 between France and West Germany.
With this victory, England may have failed to bring home a World Cup title, but it was their best World Cup result since winning it in 1966.
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It was an incredible match, and now there’s only one left and it’s for the World Cup title.
Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday afternoon at New York-New Jersey Stadium, with the match scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET.
