World Cup 2026 England Beat France 6-4 for Third Place

ENGLAND · WORLD CUP

A chaotic ten-goal bronze final in Miami finished England 6-4 France, sending the Three Lions home with third place and Didier Deschamps into retirement.

World Cup 2026 England win a wild bronze final

England beat France 6-4 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium to finish third at the World Cup. The bronze final produced one of the most extraordinary scorelines of the tournament.

Ten goals were shared in an end-to-end contest that few had expected. England always looked to have the edge but France refused to give up.

It was a fitting, if unusual, way to close out both teams’ tournaments. A podium finish offered some consolation after their semi-final defeats.

Goals at both ends

The match was open and attacking from the outset. Both sides pushed forward with freedom in a game with lower stakes than a final.

England repeatedly pulled clear only for France to hit back. The lead changed hands more than once in a breathless afternoon.

In the end England’s greater cutting edge told. Their six goals were enough to see off a determined French side.

Every time France threatened a comeback, England found another goal. The Three Lions’ attacking players made the most of the space on offer.

France, for their part, kept probing until the final whistle. Their willingness to attack made for a thrilling but ultimately costly approach.

Rotation on both sides

Both managers made significant changes to their starting line-ups. England rested several regulars, including Harry Kane.

France also freshened up their side but kept Kylian Mbappé involved. The changes contributed to a loose, open game.

With less riding on the result, both teams played with a freedom rarely seen in the knockouts. The spectacle was the winner.

Fringe players seized their chance to shine on the big stage. For many it was a rare opportunity to feature deep in a World Cup.

A farewell for Deschamps

The match marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ long reign as France manager. He led his country to the 2018 World Cup title and to back-to-back finals.

His 14 years in charge have been among the most successful in French football history. Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to succeed him.

A defeat was not the send-off Deschamps would have wanted. His legacy, however, is long secure.

Kylian Mbappé led the tributes to his departing coach before the game. The France captain spoke warmly of what Deschamps had meant to the team.

The numbers behind the win

According to FIFA’s official match centre, the bronze final was a rare goal-fest at the business end of a World Cup. Ten goals in a single knockout match is a notable rarity.

By The Rio Times’ reading, the open nature of the game reflected its unusual context. Two disappointed sides let loose in a match with pride, not a trophy, on the line.

Kylian Mbappé entered the day in contention for the Golden Boot and, with two second-half goals, moved past Lionel Messi into the lead. With Messi in Sunday’s final, the race for the top scorer award runs to the last day.

What it means

Third place is a modest reward for two of the tournament’s stronger sides. Both England and France had harboured hopes of reaching the final.

For England, a podium finish will do little to ease the pain of the semi-final loss. Their long wait for a major men’s trophy continues.

Questions will linger over Thomas Tuchel’s tactics after the semi-final exit. A goal-laden win here will not fully answer them.

Why it matters

The bronze final closed the curtain on all but the two finalists. Attention now turns fully to Sunday’s showpiece.

Spain and Argentina will contest the title in New Jersey. It is the climax a memorable tournament deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in World Cup 2026 England vs France?

England won the third-place playoff 6-4. It was a ten-goal thriller in Miami.

Where did England finish at the World Cup?

England finished third after winning the bronze final. France finished fourth.

Was this Deschamps’ last game with France?

Yes. It was Didier Deschamps’ final match as France manager after 14 years in charge.

Who plays in the World Cup final?

Spain face Argentina in the final. The match is in New Jersey on Sunday.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

The race between Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi will be decided by Sunday’s final. Messi still has a game to play.

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