2026 FIFA World Cup : The 2026 FIFA World Cup provided football fans with the most exciting and high-scoring matches in history. England won the World Cup bronze medal after beating France 6-4 in the third-place match. This is England’s best performance in World Cup history since they won the World Cup in 1966. At one point in the match England were leading 4-0, but France came back strongly in the second half.
England dominated the first half thanks to back-to-back goals from Saka.
England rested their regular captains Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham early in the match. However, Declan Rice, wearing the captain’s armband, stunned France by scoring the opening goal after just two and a half (2.5) minutes of the match. Then in the 18th minute, Ezri Konsa made it 2-0 with a superb header. This was followed by the magic of Bukayo Saka, who destroyed the French defense with two goals in quick succession before the end of the first half to give England a comfortable 4–0 lead.
Mbappé’s storm and world record in the second half
After the break, the French team took to the field with a completely different energy. Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal for France and Bradley Barcola soon scored in the 54th minute to make it 4–2. Mbappe scored another historic goal in the 66th minute of the match. With this goal, Mbappe became the top scorer in the history of the World Cup, overtaking legend Lionel Messi. It was Mbappe’s 10th goal of the tournament, putting him in the lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
Saki’s hat-trick and England’s victory
While France continued to attack and took the match to penalties, England were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute. In this moment of pressure, Bukayo Saka made no mistake and smashed the ball into the goal post, completing his brilliant hat-trick and giving England a 5-3 lead. England eventually won the bronze medal, winning the match 6–4.