England's Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the team's fifth goal against France during the third-place match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami. | AFP-JIJI
REUTERS
Jul 19, 2026
Miami – Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick as England held off a stunning France fightback to claim a 6-4 victory in a madcap Miami thriller on Saturday, securing third place for its best World Cup finish since its sole title triumph in 1966.
In a match of two halves where defending was a second thought, Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become the all-time World Cup top scorer as France battled back from 4-0 down at halftime to come within a handful of missed chances of equalizing.
Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot three minutes from time to make it 5-3 and calm England’s nerves, having scored twice in the first half after goals from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa had given England the perfect start.
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