CORNERFLICK
England edged France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off to secure their best tournament finish since 1966.
Thomas Tuchel rested Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, but his side started fast and went ahead early. Declan Rice opened the scoring before Ezri Konsa added a second, and Bukayo Saka struck twice before the break as England built a commanding lead.
France fought back after the interval through Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola, yet Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. Bellingham then added England’s sixth in stoppage time.
Mbappe scored twice for France, with Ousmane Dembele also on target in the 96th minute, but it was not enough to stop Didier Deschamps from ending his spell in charge with defeat. The match was played at the World Cup’s third-place game, refereed by Jesus Valenzuela of Venezuela.