Saka Hat-Trick Seals Third Place for England in Thrilling World Cup Playoff Against France

England claimed third place at the 2026 World Cup in a spectacular 6-4 triumph over France, with Bukayo Saka netting a memorable hat-trick in a match that delivered an abundance of goals and drama. The contest in Miami served as a consolation for both sides after their semi-final exits, with Didier Deschamps managing France for the final time.

A fiercely contested battle saw England emerge victorious, securing their best-ever World Cup finish. Alongside Saka’s heroics, goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Jude Bellingham contributed to England’s high-scoring performance. France mounted a spirited second-half comeback, driven by Kylian Mbappe’s brace and strikes from Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, but England held on for the win.

Deschamps’ 14-year tenure with the French national team concluded with this defeat, marking the end of an era for Les Bleus. The victory provided a fitting end to England’s World Cup campaign.

Key facts
| Team | Score | Competition | Stage |
| :—— | :—- | :—————————— | :——————– |
| England | 6 | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Third Place Playoff |
| France | 4 | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Third Place Playoff |

Match Highlights

The match kicked off with immediate intensity, as England took an early lead within three minutes through a superb strike from Declan Rice. Rice was also instrumental in England’s second goal, providing the corner that Ezri Konsa headed home.

Bukayo Saka then doubled England’s advantage, showcasing his attacking prowess. France struggled to contain England’s forwards in the first half, with Saka adding a third goal after a moment of composure from Jude Bellingham. England further extended their lead, taking a commanding advantage into the break.

France’s Comeback Effort

Didier Deschamps made changes at halftime, and France emerged with renewed determination. Kylian Mbappe began to make his mark, scoring twice and assisting Bradley Barcola. Mbappe’s second goal saw him surpass Lionel Messi to become the outright top scorer in World Cup history with his 22nd tournament goal.

Ousmane Dembele also found the net, narrowing the deficit and setting up a tense finale. However, England managed to restore their two-goal cushion, with Saka completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot after winning a late penalty.

Player Performances

Bukayo Saka was the standout performer for England, earning Player of the Match honours for his match-winning hat-trick. Jude Bellingham provided crucial assists and maintained composure in midfield. Declan Rice opened the scoring and was a constant threat. For France, Kylian Mbappe’s brace and his World Cup scoring record were notable achievements, despite the team’s inability to secure victory.

Goalkeepers and Defences

England’s goalkeeper made several saves, though he was unable to prevent France from scoring four goals. The French defence, particularly in the first half, struggled to contain England’s attacking threats, with some players receiving low ratings for their performance.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 World Cup awards voting remains open until July 20th, with winners to be announced on July 21st. Fans can cast their votes for various categories, including Player of the Tournament and Best Attacker.

Source: Sports Mole Football RSS – https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/france/world-cup-2026/feature/saka-hat-trick-fires-england-to-third-place-at-2026-world-cup_601442.html

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