Saka hat-trick gives England bronze as Mbappe breaks World Cup goals record

England claimed third place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 6-4 win over France in Miami, as Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick and Kylian Mbappe broke the all-time World Cup goals record in the tournament’s highest-scoring match.

It was the match neither side wanted – a bronze medal game rarely inspires, but both teams threw themselves into it from the first whistle. Declan Rice gave England the lead before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage with a header. Saka then took over, bagging three goals in a performance that cemented his status as one of this tournament’s standout players.

France refused to go quietly. Mbappe scored twice to reach 22 career World Cup goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21 – a moment that will define his legacy regardless of what else happens in his career. He now leads the Golden Boot race with 10 tournament goals, though Messi, on eight, has one more game to add to his tally when Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s final.

[See more: World Cup 2026 final: Messi’s last match, and everything else to know]

The final score of 6-4 produced ten goals and enough drama to make up for the deflating nature of third-place games. Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot late on before Jude Bellingham added England’s sixth goal in stoppage time after Ousmane Dembélé had briefly pulled one back for France. England claimed their first-ever third-place finish and their best World Cup result since lifting the trophy in 1966.

For Didier Deschamps, it was the final match of his record-breaking tenure as France manager, his 26th at a World Cup, more than any other coach with a single nation. He departs with two World Cup finals and one title to his name.

Both teams now turn their attention to Euro 2028, with the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain taking place on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium.