England produced one of their most dominant performances in recent memory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off — and yet, for many supporters, the final whistle brought more frustration than joy.

The Three Lions dismantled France 6-0 in Miami, racing into a 4-0 lead before half-time and never letting up. Declan Rice was imperious in midfield, Bukayo Saka was irresistible on the right flank, and Kylian Mbappe found no way past Dean Henderson all evening.

Goals that should have come sooner

Ezri Konsa, Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Saka — who completed a hat-trick — all found the net as France's defence crumbled. Even Mbappe's Golden Boot campaign reached a conclusion of sorts, though it was buried deep beneath six England goals.

Marcus Rashford fired shots with a freedom rarely seen under tournament pressure. Eberechi Eze drifted between the lines with his trademark elegance. Djed Spence covered every blade of grass up and down the right channel. The parts were all there — assembled too late, and on the wrong stage.

The result arrived in Didier Deschamps' farewell as France manager, turning his send-off into something of an embarrassment for Les Bleus, the 2018 World Cup winners. England made one of the tournament's favourites look ordinary.

Brilliant — but what's the point?

BBC pundit and former England international Danny Murphy had suggested, before kick-off, that a victory in this fixture might serve as a small consolation after England's semi-final exit against Argentina. It is hard to argue with the logic — and yet, watching this performance unfold, consolation was the last word that came to mind.

Where was this version of England when it mattered? How did Saka look so sharp after his injury struggles? Why did Rice play like a one-man wrecking crew only once the stakes had disappeared? The questions are uncomfortable, and the performance in Miami makes them louder, not quieter.

England pulled this off without Harry Kane for large stretches, and without Bellingham for much of the match. That should be cause for optimism — and perhaps it will be, in time. Several of those involved will be entering their prime by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives. That thought offers a thin thread of hope. For now, though, a 6-0 win that means almost nothing may be the most England thing that has ever happened.