Why FIFA keeps a World Cup third-place match even when France and England admit they don't want to play
England’s Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick and Jude Bellingham added a late solo goal as France rallied after halftime.
- On Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla., England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place match, securing the nation's best tournament finish in 60 years under manager Thomas Tuchel.
- England dominated the first half, taking a 4-0 lead after Declan Rice scored in three minutes, followed by goals from Ezri Konsa and two from Bukayo Saka. France appeared uninterested early.
- France rallied after halftime as Kylian Mbappé led a charge, bringing the score within one goal with 24 minutes remaining. The match featured 38 total shots, with Ousmane Dembélé and Djed Spence influencing play.
- Substitute Jude Bellingham sealed the win with a solo goal following his 79th-minute introduction. Tuchel said, "It is the first medal in 60 years, the best World Cup on foreign soil."
- The match marked the final appearance for Didier Deschamps, France manager after 14 years in the role. His team demonstrated significant second-half resilience despite the opening 45-minute collapse.
33 Articles
33 Articles
England has won third place in the World Cup. The English team defeated France with 6 to 4.
MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) "England takes third place at the World Championships at the end of a spectacular match against France: the "finalina" between the two great disappointments ends with an incredible 6-4 for the Three Lions in which stand out Saka's triplet and Mbappè's double, which flies in the standings detaching Messi. That it was a game without too many motivations on both sides was clear, but, while Tuchel's men honored the …
Loose defense and a 10-goal slugfest; the third-place playoff is a must. The third-place team receives an additional 3 billion won in prize money, but Coach Tuchel says it is a match nobody wants. In the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup third-place playoff against France held at Miami Stadium in the US on the 19th (KST), Declan Rice scored the opening goal just three minutes into the first half.
England beat France 6-4 to claim third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match provided plenty of details, which were analyzed by our experts, including tactical changes and key points.
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