England defeated France 6-4 in the highest-scoring match of the 2026 World Cup to claim third place.
The English side controlled the first half, entering the break with a 4-0 lead after an early opener from Declan Rice, a header by Ezri Konsa, and two goals from Bukayo Saka.
France rallied in the second half, scoring three consecutive goals heavily involving Kylian Mbappé to bring it within one.
Saka then converted a penalty kick to complete his hat trick and push the lead back to two. France cut the deficit again through Ousmane Dembélé in stoppage time, but Jude Bellingham settled the match moments later with a late counter-attack goal to finish the scoring and secure the victory for England.
The highest scoring game at the 2026 World Cup has come to an end, with England emerging victorious, 6-4 over France.
England completely controlled the first half as Declan Rice got on the scoresheet inside three minutes before Ezri Konsa’s corner kick header and the first two of Bukayo Saka’s goals to build a 4-0 lead at the break.
France responded in the second half with three unanswered goals that were either scored or assisted by Kylian Mbappé to bring Les Bleus within one goal.
Bukayo Saka would go on to step up and convert a penalty kick to restore a two-goal lead for The Three Lions just before the end of regular time.
The game went all the way down to the wire, as Ousmane Dembélé scored in stoppage time to bring France within one goal again, but it was Jude Bellingham who settled the match with a late counter-attack goal in stoppage time, securing a third-place finish for England and putting a bow on arguably the best game of the tournament.
