World Cup 2026 Betting

England 6-4 France — Ten Goals, a Saka Hat-Trick and a Record That Fell

Updated July 2026
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The third-place play-off was billed as a dead rubber. Instead it became ten goals, a hat-trick, and a piece of World Cup history. England beat France 6-4 on Saturday in the highest-scoring World Cup match since 1982, taking third — their best men’s World Cup finish since winning it in 1966 — and leaving France fourth. As of July 19, 2026.

Two national teams reacting on a brightly floodlit stadium pitch in Miami at night after a high-scoring match, confetti and lights
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami: England beat France 6-4 in the bronze match. July 18, 2026.
  • Final score England 6, France 4 — the highest-scoring World Cup match since 1982.
  • Half-time was 4-0 England; Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick (37′, 45+1′, 87′ pen).
  • England finished third (best since 1966); France finished fourth.
  • Mbappé’s brace (48′, 66′) took him to 22 career World Cup goals — now the all-time top scorer, past Messi’s 21.

1. How it unfolded

At the break it was 4-0 England. Declan Rice struck inside three minutes, Ezri Konsa doubled it on 18, and Saka added two before half-time (37′, 45+1′) before completing his hat-trick from the spot on 87′. Jude Bellingham capped it in stoppage time (90+8′). France rallied after the break through Mbappé (48′), Barcola (54′) and Mbappé again (66′), with Dembélé adding a late fourth (90+6′).

Goals England France
Scorers Rice 3′, Konsa 18′, Saka 37′, 45+1′, 87′ (pen), Bellingham 90+8′ Mbappé 48′, Barcola 54′, Mbappé 66′, Dembélé 90+6′
Half-time 4-0 —
Final 6 (3rd) 4 (4th)

2. Records and context

Saka became only the second Englishman ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout match, after Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final. And Mbappé’s two goals took him to 22 career World Cup goals, past Messi’s 21 — Kylian Mbappé is now the all-time World Cup top scorer. More on that in our Golden Boot analysis.

Read next

What was the score in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off?
England beat France 6-4 on July 18, 2026. England took third — their best men’s World Cup finish since 1966 — and France finished fourth.
Who scored the hat-trick in the bronze match?
Bukayo Saka scored three for England (37′, 45+1′ and 87′ from the spot), becoming only the second Englishman ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout match, after Geoff Hurst in 1966.
Why was the match historic for Mbappé?
His brace (48′, 66′) took him to 22 career World Cup goals, past Messi’s 21 — Kylian Mbappé is now the all-time World Cup top scorer.

Sources: England FA (official match centre), beIN Sports, ESPN, Al Jazeera (July 18, 2026). 19+. Please wager responsibly.