Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to help the Three Lions of England seal a 6-4 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup Bronze match on Saturday night.
France had trailed 4-0 from the first half but a fine second half performance saw the French push for a comeback with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace.
Mbappe is now the leading scorer in the FIFA World Cup with 22 goals, and with 10 goals in this tournament, he leads the golden boot ahead of Lionel Messi who plays in the final on Sunday.
It is England’s best finish at a men’s World Cup since 1966.
France had trailed 4-0 from the first half through goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and a Saka double.
But a fine second half performance saw the French push for a comeback with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace, and Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele also scoring.
Before Dembélé’s effort, Saka had completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Jude Bellingham then made it 6-4 in 98th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament – the most by an Englishman at a single World Cup.
It is England’s best finish at a men’s World Cup since 1966.
Meanwhile, Mbappe is now the leading scorer in the FIFA World Cup with 22 goals, and with 10 goals in this tournament.
He also leads the golden boot race ahead of Lionel Messi who plays against Spain in the final on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States.
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