Bukayo Saka delivered a stunning hat-trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a breathtaking FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off on Saturday, securing the nation's first-ever bronze medal at a World Cup.

England have previously finished fourth at the tournament — in 1990 and 2018 — but never claimed a podium finish until Saturday's extraordinary contest, which produced ten goals across a frantic 98 minutes.

England's electric first half

The tone was set almost immediately. Captain Declan Rice opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute, before Ezra Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th. Saka then added the third in the 37th minute, and one minute into first-half added time, the Arsenal forward struck again to send England into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead.

France's stunning second-half revival

France returned from the interval with fierce intent. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 48th minute, and Bradley Barcola quickly followed to make it 4-2. Mbappe struck again on 66 minutes to narrow the deficit to 4-3, briefly threatening a remarkable comeback.

Saka, however, extinguished those hopes — converting from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick and restore England's two-goal cushion at 5-3.

Late drama seals the result

France refused to surrender. Ousmane Dembele pulled a goal back in the 96th minute to make it 5-4, setting up a nervy finale. Jude Bellingham put the result beyond doubt by adding England's sixth goal in the 98th minute, prompting jubilant celebrations among the Three Lions faithful.

Mbappe finished the tournament with ten goals in this edition of the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tally that also carried him to 22 World Cup goals in total — making him the all-time top scorer in World Cup history.