Saka hat-trick leads England to 6-4 win over France in World Cup third-place play-off | 2026 World Cup

Where to start with this rollercoaster of a game? Thomas Tuchel had promised a response but could not imagine the way England responded, despite facing a French side firmly on their sunloungers during a stunning first half in which they scored four times.

However, Kylian Mbappé is hunting for his second Golden Boot in a row in Didier Deschamps’ last game in charge Les Bleuseven goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two from Bukayo Saka were not enough. Mbappé started the comeback after the break before adding a second after Bradley Barcola’s strike. The 27-year-old became the first male player to reach double figures at the World Cup since Gerd Müller in 1970. I’m looking at you, Lionel.

Thank you for England, Saka’s late penalty to complete his hat-trick and Jude Bellingham’s seventh of the tournament after he came off the bench ensured that an afternoon that had started modestly for Tuchel for some fans ended with England securing third place in the World Cup for the first time. Although the scars of their semi-final defeat to Argentina will remain, at least they ended their campaign with a memorable victory.

Miami’s dominant skies throughout the day matched the mood of both teams as they tried to put on a brave face after their semi-final exit. As well as his attempt to rehabilitate Lionel Messi, Mbappé had more motivation and his teammates to send Deschamps off into the sunset with victory after 14 years in charge. The Real Madrid star posted a message on social media hours before kick-off thanking the man who guided France to their second World Cup in 2018 and came so close four years later. “Today is your last dance,” he wrote.

Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of the tournament and has revealed he wants to lead England to Euro 2028 at home. But after Friday night’s pre-match press conference in which the German insisted he would make the same decisions again if given the chance against Argentina, the next two years look set to test his ability to rebuild his image with England fans. The reception Harry Kane and others received after England secured their bronze medal suggested the players’ efforts over the past five weeks had been fully appreciated.

Like Deschamps, Tuchel made seven changes from the semi-final, with Rice surprisingly named captain in place of Kane despite carrying an injury throughout the tournament. Arsenal, who have major concerns about how long William Saliba may be sidelined with a back injury, will not be happy to have Saka start as well.

There was also a plot due to the absence from the bench of Kobbie Mainoo, the midfielder of Manchester United who has not played a single minute in the World Cup. The Football Association said he was injured, although Jordan Henderson was listed as a substitute despite the broken arm he sustained in England’s win over Mexico.

At first, France seemed to be suffering from more of a hangover. Désiré Doué’s through ball in the third minute was intercepted by Rice and his finish left Mike Maignan with no chance. Mbappé managed to get a foot on the ball as he raced through the goal before Saka had a goal from Morgan Rogers’ classy ball ruled out for offside. It took a block from Maxence Lacroix to stop Saka’s next attack before Konsa beat his marker, Adrien Rabiot, to nod in Rice’s corner. England looked like they had a point to prove.

Marcus Rashford embarrassed Warren Zaïre-Emery with a nutmeg before unleashing a powerful shot that was well saved by Maignan. At the other end, Dean Henderson brilliantly denied Mbappé, who had cut in from the left, before another save started England’s third move on the stroke of half-time. There was something funny about the way Rashford and Saka took turns trying to score before the latter finally did. A fine pass from Eberechi Eze set up Saka’s second on the stroke of half-time. The French players looked surprised, even if Mbappé tried his best to laugh it off.

Deschamps responded by making four changes at half-time, including Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola. They pulled one back within three minutes when Mbappé finished off Olise’s ball after England’s Ollie Watkins had lost the ball. It wasn’t long before Barcola ran back into the middle with the ball under his arm after making it 4-2. Mbappé added the second after a pass from Olise on the edge of the England area and suddenly Tuchel’s side were really reeling.

Somehow Olise couldn’t score to force extra time after playing in England’s defence. Bellingham and Elliot Anderson were called off the bench at that time and it was left to the former while Saka, who did not come off the bench against Argentina, drove the final nails into France’s coffin. In between moments Dembélé pulled another goal back in a spectacular display that will surely go down as the game of the tournament.