2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze match
France 4-6 England
Final (Sunday, July 19)
Spain v Argentina 10 PM
Miami, USA: Bukayo Saka scored the first hat-trick by an England player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Three Lions defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place playoff on Saturday to claim the bronze medal.
The victory secured England’s best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966, while ending their long wait for success in a World Cup third-place playoff after previous defeats in 1990 and 2018.
England made a blistering start, with Declan Rice opening the scoring from long range in the third minute before Ezri Konsa doubled the lead with a header 15 minutes later.
Saka then struck twice before halftime as Gareth Southgate’s side stormed into a commanding 4-0 advantage.
France Stage Fightback
France mounted a spirited comeback after the break, with Les Bleus captain Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and setting up Bradley Barcola as Didier Deschamps’ side reduced the deficit to 4-3 by the 66th minute.
However, Michael Olise squandered a chance to equalise before Saka calmly converted a penalty to complete his historic hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal cushion.
Ousmane Dembélé scored France’s fourth goal in stoppage time, but Jude Bellingham responded moments later with a brilliant solo effort, his seventh goal of the tournament, to wrap up a memorable 6-4 victory.
Mbappé Makes History Despite Defeat
Although France fell short, Mbappé reached another remarkable milestone.
His two goals took his tally to 10 goals at the 2026 tournament and 22 World Cup goals overall, making him the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 21 goals across three editions.
England manager Thomas Tuchel rested captain Harry Kane, who remains tied for fifth on the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 14 goals, alongside Germany legend Gerd Müller and one behind Brazil great Ronaldo Nazário.
The match also marked Didier Deschamps’ 187th and final game as France coach, ending his tenure with 121 victories.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s final, where defending champions Argentina face Spain at MetLife Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 p.m. (EAT).
The final will see Lionel Messi, aged 38, become the oldest outfield player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final, while Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal hopes to become one of the youngest players ever to lift the trophy.
Yamal, who helped Spain win UEFA Euro 2024, recovered from injury in time for the final and is set to become the third-youngest player to appear in a World Cup final, behind Pelé and Giuseppe Bergomi.
The match will also reunite Messi and Yamal nearly two decades after a famous UNICEF charity photograph showed a then 20-year-old Messi bathing five-month-old Yamal during a promotional photoshoot.
Uganda’s Ghetto Kids Set for Global Stage
Away from the action on the pitch, Uganda’s internationally acclaimed Ghetto Kids dance troupe is set to perform during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show after receiving an invitation from Colombian music superstar Shakira.
Founded by Kavuma Dauda, the Kampala-based group has gained global recognition through its energetic performances, viral videos and appearances on international talent shows, making Sunday’s halftime show one of the biggest moments in its history.
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