On Saturday, England triumphed over France with a thrilling 6-4 victory, securing third place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium.
The Three Lions opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, courtesy of Declan Rice, who capitalized on a pass from Desiree Douai. Rice’s striking shot rocketed into the far corner of the net, giving England an early advantage. They extended their lead to two goals when Ezri Konsa nodded in a corner kick, having successfully challenged Adrien Rabiot in the air. England’s dominance continued with further goals from Bukayo Saka, propelling them to a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime.
France’s coach Didier Deschamps, in his 187th and final game with the national team, made four substitutions at halftime that transformed the contest. Kylian Mbappé reduced the deficit by scoring a goal from a pass by Michael Oliseh. Mbappé then assisted Bradley Barcola to bring the score to 4-2. Shortly after, he unleashed a powerful shot from inside the box, narrowing the gap to just one goal at 4-3.
Although Olise squandered a substantial chance to equalize, shooting wide from close range, Saka restored England’s two-goal lead with a penalty after Maro Gusto fouled Jed Spence in the box. In a dramatic finale, Ousmane Dembélé’s late goal offered France a glimmer of hope, but Jude Bellingham’s stunning individual effort sealed the match for England.
England
Manager Assessment
Thomas Tuchel received a score of 6 for his performance. The England manager utilized players who had limited playing time during the tournament, and his strategic shift towards a more aggressive play style portends a bright future for the team.
Player Ratings
Dean Henderson, Goalkeeper: 7 – Henderson made several crucial saves, though he was somewhat let down by his defense in the second half.
Jed Spence, Defender: 7 – Demonstrating alertness, Spence effectively disrupted France’s scoring opportunities and earned a penalty in the 85th minute.
Marc Guehi, Defender: 5 – Despite a crucial clearance against Mbappé, Guehi struggled to maintain pace with France’s rapid attack in the latter half.
Jarrell Quansah, Defender: 5 – Quansah faced a challenging match, losing Barcola on a goal that contributed to France’s comeback before being substituted due to injury.
Ezri Konsa, Defender: 6 – Konsa’s aerial prowess shone through when he scored England’s second goal, showcasing his ability to capitalize on set pieces.
Declan Rice, Midfielder: 9 – Rice was pivotal, dominating play with a remarkable interception and creating scoring opportunities, evident in his stunning goal from outside the box and assisting on Konsa’s header.
Eberechi Eze, Midfielder: 7 – Eze showcased his skills by dazzling past defenders, contributing with a goal just before halftime that underscored England’s attacking flair.
Marcus Rashford, Forward: 7 – Rashford displayed creativity and excitement, almost scoring with a remarkable shot before assisting Saka’s pivotal third goal.
Bukayo Saka, Forward: 9 – Saka was a standout performer, scoring a hat trick that included a crucial penalty, reinforcing his status as a key player for the Three Lions.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins (for Rashford, 45′): 6 – Watkins held possession well but could have been more impactful in the attacking phase.
Jude Bellingham (for Eze, 79′): N/R – Bellingham showed promise immediately, scoring a spectacular late goal to solidify England’s advantage.
Elliott Anderson (for Toney, 79′): N/R – Anderson was introduced to bolster the midfield as England sought to maintain control.
Reece James (for Quansah, 83′): N/R – James entered following Quansah’s injury, aiming to stabilize the defense during the final moments of the match.
Trevo Chalobá (for Guehi, 90+3): N/R – Chalobá arrived late on and contributed a defensive presence as the game wound down.
France
Manager Evaluation
Didier Deschamps also scored a 6 in his last match as manager. His strategic adjustments in the second half aimed to invigorate a struggling team.
Player Ratings
Mike Maignan, Goalkeeper: 4 – Maignan’s first half saw him concede four goals, although he made some saves after the break to stave off further damage.
Theo Hernandez, Defender: 4 – Hernandez had difficulty balancing his positioning, which led to numerous opportunities for England’s attackers before his halftime substitution.
Maxence Lacroix, Defender: 4 – Lacroix’s efforts included a significant block, yet he struggled overall to contain England’s relentless offense in the second half.
Kylian Mbappé, Forward: 9 – Mbappé shone by becoming the first player since Eusebio to score eight goals in a single World Cup, demonstrating his skill with two goals and an assist, reinforcing his elite status.
Substitutes
Lucas Digne (for Hernandez, 45′): 6 – Digne contributed defensively while keeping France competitive in the midfield.
Dayot Upamecano (for Konate, 45′): 6 – Upamecano provided a more stable presence at the back, attempting to push forward for a goal.
Ousmane Dembélé (for Cherki, 45′): 7 – Dembélé’s contributions included a well-taken goal, showcasing his skillful play and ability to create opportunities.
Bradley Barcola (for Douai, 45′): 7 – Barcola’s timely run resulted in a well-executed finish, providing France with crucial momentum.
