Saka hat trick leads England to 6-4 win over France in World Cup bronze …

Bukayo Saka’s hat trick powered England to a 6-4 victory over France in the World Cup third-place playoff, delivering one of the most explosive matches in tournament history. The game, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, saw 10 goals scored—the highest in a third-place match and the most since Hungary’s 10-1 win over El Salvador in 1982. England’s win marked their second-best finish in the World Cup since their 1966 title, while Kylian Mbappé etched his name into history by surpassing Lionel Messi’s career World Cup goal record.

Saka, who scored in the 37th minute, added a stoppage-time goal in the first half and completed his hat trick with a penalty in the 87th minute. His performance capped a dominant first-half display by England, which built a 4-0 lead through goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Saka. France, however, mounted a fierce second-half comeback, with Mbappé scoring twice to take the Golden Boot with 10 goals, two more than Messi. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also found the net for France, but England’s resilience held firm.

England’s coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the result, calling it a “fierce” yet “painful” finish. “We set the highest dream to chase, and we were very, very ambitious with our dream to make it to the final and win the World Cup,” Tuchel said. “It’s very, very painful if you miss out.” The Three Lions had reached the semifinals but collapsed in a 2-1 loss to Argentina, where Messi assisted on two late goals. Despite the setback, Tuchel framed the bronze medal as a step forward. “This game will help us for sure,” he added, though he admitted the team would “never fully celebrate the bronze medal.”

Mbappé’s historic achievement came amid a thrilling second-half resurgence for France. After trailing 4-0 at halftime, the 27-year-old striker scored in the 48th and 66th minutes, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals. His second goal, a left-footed strike from 14 yards, drew applause from fans and fellow players alike. Mbappé, however, downplayed his individual success, stating, “I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and play in the match tomorrow.” The French forward’s performance set the stage for a final showdown between Argentina and Spain, with Messi aiming to reclaim the Golden Boot.

The match drew a sellout crowd of 64,478, with fans from both nations filling the stadium. Supporters like Gaston Esquivel, a Mexico City native and Manchester United fan, praised England’s style of play, while Thomas Viel, a Parisian following France, expressed hope for a Mbappé hat trick. The atmosphere was electric, with the low-stakes nature of the third-place game failing to dampen the intensity. “It more than delivered,” said Esquivel, who described the game as a “thriller” that lived up to its billing.

For France, the loss marked the end of an era. Coach Didier Deschamps, who announced his retirement after 14 years at the helm, admitted the first half was “catastrophic” but praised his team’s second-half effort. “We were deeply disappointed, gutted after the semis,” he said through an interpreter. “I don’t want to sum up my career on this moment.” Deschamps’ final match saw France’s offensive firepower on display, but their inability to capitalize on chances in the first half proved costly.

England’s victory also highlighted the emergence of Jude Bellingham, who scored the final goal of the match in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The 20-year-old’s seventh goal of the tournament made him the first England player to reach seven World Cup goals, surpassing Harry Kane’s previous record. Bellingham’s contribution underscored the team’s depth, even as key players like Kane and Raheem Sterling were rested for the match.

The result left England with mixed emotions. While the bronze medal was a significant achievement, the team’s failure to reach the final cast a shadow over their campaign. Tuchel, however, emphasized the importance of the experience. “We are fiercely competitive, so we almost don’t allow ourselves to be proud of third place,” he said. “But I hope the players can be proud of that in some time.”

As the World Cup drew to a close, the third-place match served as a fitting finale. With its record-breaking scoreline, dramatic comebacks, and historic milestones, the game encapsulated the unpredictability and excitement that define international football. For Saka, Mbappé, and their teams, it was a night to remember—one that will be replayed in highlight reels and debated by fans for years to come.