2026 World Cup: England beat France in a thrilling bronze final

In the match for the bronze medals at the World Cup, the England national team defeated France 6–4 in Miami (USA).

In the first half, the English side took a 4–0 lead—a record-breaking deficit for France. Declan Rice, the 27-year-old midfielder for Arsenal, opened the scoring in the third minute.

In the 18th minute, Aston Villa’s 28-year-old defender Ezri Konsa found the net.

Arsenal’s 24-year-old forward Bukayo Saka scored against France in the 37th minute and again in the first minute of stoppage time.

Kylian Mbappe, the 27-year-old forward for the French national team and Real Madrid, narrowed the deficit in the 48th minute (video). In the 54th minute, Bradley Barcola—the 23-year-old forward for French champions and Champions League winners PSG—scored following a pass from Mbappé.

Mbappe netted a brace in the 66th minute. He is the top scorer of the current championship with 10 goals. In second place is Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old forward for world champions Argentina, with 8 goals. Mbappe is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals.

In the 87th minute, England was awarded a penalty, and Saka scored the third goal.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, PSG’s 29-year-old forward Ousmane Dembele scored the French team's fourth goal.

In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Jude Bellingham—the 23-year-old England and Real Madrid midfielder who had come on as a substitute in the 79th minute—scored a goal.

Didier Deschamps managed his final match as head coach of the French national team; over his 14-year tenure, he secured titles as world champion and runner-up, as well as European runner-up.

European champions Spain and world champions Argentina will face off in the final of the current tournament on July 19.