FrancevsEngland

Result

England took third place in the wildest bronze final in more than forty years, beating France 6-4 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa put England two up inside 18 minutes and Bukayo Saka struck twice more before half-time; Kylian Mbappé scored either side of Bradley Barcola's finish to drag France back to 4-3 by the 66th. Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 87, and after Ousmane Dembélé made it 5-4 deep in stoppage time Jude Bellingham restored the two-goal cushion two minutes later. Ten goals is the most in a World Cup match since 1982. England finish third at the tournament.

France 4-2-3-14-1-4-1 England

France

England

Kylian Mbappé48'

Rice3'

Bradley Barcola54'

Konsa18'

Kylian Mbappé66'

Saka37'

Ousmane Dembélé90'+6'

Saka45'+1'

Saka87'

Bellingham90'+8'

46%Possession54%

19Shots19

9On target11

4Saves5

3Corners4

404Passes completed469

91%Pass accuracy91%

16Tackles27

55Touches in box34

Substitutions

Ousmane Dembéléfor Rayan Cherkiat 45'

Ollie Watkinsfor Rashfordat 45'

Bradley Barcolafor Désiré Douéat 45'

Andersonfor Toneyat 79'

Lucas Dignefor Theo Hernándezat 45'

Bellinghamfor Eberechi Ezeat 79'

Dayot Upamecanofor Ibrahima Konatéat 45'

Jamesfor Jarell Quansahat 83'

Jules Koundéfor Malo Gustoat 90'+1'

Trevoh Chalobahfor Guéhiat 90'+3'

At this Stage

A dead rubber, they said. Ten goals later nobody was calling it that. England — who had led Argentina until Messi's late double three days earlier — were four up inside 46 minutes through Rice, Konsa's header and two from Saka, and then had to survive the France that came out after the break: Mbappé twice either side of Barcola, and 4-0 was 4-3 by the 66th. Saka's penalty on 87 completed his hat-trick and made it 5-3; Dembélé pulled one back six minutes into stoppage time; Bellingham settled it two minutes after that. England take the bronze medal, their first World Cup medal since 1966; France finish fourth, and the departing Didier Deschamps leaves without the send-off he wanted. The tournament's last act followed a day later in New York.

France0

Spain✓2

Jul 14 · FT

Dallas Stadium

England1

Argentina✓2

Jul 15 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

France4

England✓6

Jul 18 · FT

Miami Stadium

Semi-final

France0

Spain✓2

Jul 14 · FT

Dallas Stadium

England1

Argentina✓2

Jul 15 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

Third-place match

France4

England✓6

Jul 18 · FT

Miami Stadium

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

France to take third place. Deschamps' side were the more complete team over the tournament — unbeaten until Spain edged the semi-final, scoring in every game before that — and carry the deeper attack in Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise. England will be hurting after conceding twice in the last five minutes to Argentina, and both coaches are expected to rotate for a match neither wanted. If France's first-choice front line starts, their quality should tell. France by a goal, though a flat, rotated bronze final could go either way.

Both cases written 2026-07-15, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine — opinions with a percent sign on. The unclaimed 26% belongs to the draw.