Image: from خبرنگار آزاد X @Af_Journalist
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
England secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a thrilling 6–4 victory over France in Saturday’s playoff match, producing one of the most entertaining games of the tournament.
Bukayo Saka starred for the Three Lions with a magnificent hat-trick, helping England achieve their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966. Although France fell short, Kylian Mbappé made history by scoring twice to become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 career goals, surpassing Lionel Messi.
England finishes the tournament on a high
After the disappointment of their semi-final defeat, England responded emphatically, displaying attacking football from the opening whistle.
The Three Lions repeatedly exposed gaps in the French defence, turning the third-place playoff into an open, end-to-end contest that produced ten goals.
Manager and players had stressed the importance of ending the tournament positively, and England delivered a memorable performance that rewarded supporters with an exciting victory.
The result also represents England’s highest World Cup finish since their historic triumph on home soil sixty years ago.
Saka steals the spotlight
Bukayo Saka produced one of the finest performances of his international career, scoring three times to record the first World Cup hat-trick by an England player in decades.
The Arsenal winger proved unstoppable throughout the match, combining pace, intelligent movement and clinical finishing to torment the French defence.
His goals arrived at crucial moments, allowing England to maintain control despite France’s repeated attempts to fight back.
Saka’s outstanding display capped an excellent tournament in which he consistently emerged as one of England’s most dangerous attacking players.
Mbappé breaks another record
Despite France’s defeat, Kylian Mbappé once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the world’s elite footballers.
The French captain scored twice to take his career World Cup tally to 22 goals, overtaking Lionel Messi to become the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
The achievement adds another remarkable chapter to Mbappé’s international career, further cementing his place among the greatest players in World Cup history.
Although the record came in defeat, it was one of the defining moments of the match and a significant milestone in international football.
France falls short despite attacking quality
Les Bleus showed their usual attacking threat and managed to score four times, but defensive shortcomings ultimately proved costly.
France created numerous opportunities throughout the contest and remained competitive until the closing stages, yet they were unable to contain England’s pace on the counterattack.
The defeat means the 2022 finalists leave the tournament without a medal, despite another strong campaign that saw them reach the semi-finals.
Entertaining conclusion to the tournament
The third-place playoff offered everything football supporters could have hoped for, with attacking football, individual brilliance and a constant flow of goals.
Rather than approaching the match cautiously, both teams committed players forward, creating an open spectacle that highlighted the attacking talent on both sides.
For neutral fans, it was one of the most entertaining fixtures of the tournament.
England leaves with confidence
While England narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup final, finishing third provides an important boost for one of the tournament’s youngest squads.
Several emerging players impressed throughout the competition, with Saka’s performance in the playoff serving as a fitting conclusion to England’s campaign.
For France, attention will now turn to regrouping after another deep World Cup run, while Mbappé’s record-breaking achievement offers a positive note despite the disappointment of missing out on the podium.
As the tournament prepares for its final between Spain and Argentina, England departs with bronze medals and renewed optimism, while Mbappé leaves with yet another place in football history.