FLORIDA, USA, July 18.
England secured third place on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after
defeating France 6-4 in a dramatic bronze-medal match in Miami that
produced one of many event’s most entertaining contests.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick, whereas Jude Bellingham
scored England’s sixth objective to turn into the nation’s all-time
main scorer in a single World Cup marketing campaign.
The Three Lions dominated the opening half, racing right into a 4-0
lead. Captain Declan Rice opened the scoring within the third minute
with a strong long-range strike earlier than offering the nook that
Ezri Konsa transformed to double England’s benefit. Saka then added
two targets earlier than halftime, giving England full management heading
into the break.
France responded strongly after the interval. Following a number of
tactical modifications by head coach Didier Deschamps, Kylian Mbappe
scored twice, with Bradley Barcola additionally discovering the web to chop the
deficit to 4-3 and arrange a tense end.
England regained momentum after the introductions of Jude
Bellingham and Elliot Anderson. Within the 87th minute, Saka calmly
transformed a penalty to finish his hat-trick and restore a
two-goal cushion.
Ousmane Dembele pulled one again for France deep into stoppage
time, however England sealed victory moments later when Bellingham
completed off a swift counterattack with the ultimate kick of the
match.
The 6-4 triumph earned England the World Cup bronze medal and
marked the staff’s finest event end since reaching the ultimate,
whereas Bellingham’s seventh objective of the competitors noticed him surpass
Harry Kane and Gary Lineker for essentially the most targets scored by an England
participant in a single World Cup.
