England defeat France 6-4 to claim third place at World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup resumed on Saturday with the third‑place playoff, where England secured a 6–4 victory over France. Bukayo Saka delivered a standout performance, netting a hat‑trick that helped the Three Lions claim their best finish in the tournament since 1966. The match, held at the newly inaugurated stadium in Los Angeles, saw England’s attack dominate the scoreboard, with Saka’s goals coming in the 12th, 32nd, and 58th minutes.

France, despite the loss, featured a strong showing from Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice in the match. His brace pushed him past Lionel Messi to become the all‑time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals. The French side, while unable to secure a podium finish, demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament, earning respect from opponents and fans alike.

The result leaves England in third place, while France finishes fourth, setting the stage for the final between Argentina and the Netherlands. The tournament continues to showcase high‑level football, with both teams having delivered memorable performances that will be remembered by supporters worldwide.