Saka scores superb hat-trick as England clinch third spot at World Cup with thrilling win over France | OneFootball

England defeated France 6-4 to claim third spot at the 2026 World Cup – the country’s best finish since the famous triumph in 1966.

The third place play-off is the game that nobody wants to play. Both coaches made seven changes to their sides, after their respective semi-final disappointments. The atmosphere felt more like that of a charity match than a World Cup tie, and the action tended to follow suit. 

After just three minutes, England were already ahead. Declan Rice cut out a loose pass, before driving forward and rifling home from the edge of the area. Bukayo Saka then had a goal disallowed, before Ezri Konsa headed home from a corner to double the lead within the first 20 minutes.

Following the first drinks break, France came into the ascendency but England continued to cause problems on the counterattack. With an absurd amount of space to run into, Marcus Rashford got in behind but could not beat Mike Maignan. He eventually cut it back for Saka, who converted England’s third goal at the third time of asking.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Eze played a lovely ball through for Saka and the winger finished into the bottom corner to grab his second of the game. England seemed to have left the heartbreak of the Argentina defeat in the past, as they went in 4-0 up at the break – their record in a World Cup match. However, these illusions quickly evaporated in the second half.

France’s supreme attacking talent had been a constant threat throughout, and they eventually found the net shortly after the break. Kylian Mbappe coolly dispatched the goal that he was hunting for, to take him ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. He made a brilliant run and Michael Olise provided the pass to match it.

It was a short wait until Bradley Barcola further reduced the deficit. This time Mbappe turned provider, sliding through the substitute who fired home. Little more than ten minutes later, Mbappe had his second of the afternoon and England’s advantage had almost disappeared.

Didier Deschamps’ side did not go out without a fight in his final game in charge, but ultimately the equaliser eluded them. England were able to hold on, although that was chiefly down to France’s wastefulness in front of goal.

After another all-action performance, Djed Spence found himself in the opposition box during the closing moments and won a penalty. Saka stepped up and converted to make it 5-3 for England.

Ousmane Dembele then struck deep in added time to set up a nervous final few minutes for England, but those nerves were eased when England’s talisman Jude Bellingham scored a lovely solo goal to secure third spot for England.

It was far from the tournament ending that Tuchel and his players dreamt of. Nevertheless, once the dust settles, they will certainly take pride in it. It will be remembered as England’s best World Cup finish since 1966, although it could have been more than that.