Saka Hat-Trick Powers England to 6-4 Win Over France 2026

Bukayo Saka scored a stunning hat-trick to lead England to a 6-4 victory over France in the World Cup third-place playoff, delivering one of the most thrilling matches in tournament history. The match, played under Miami's leaden skies, saw England race to a 4-0 lead before France mounted a furious comeback led by Kylian Mbappé.

England's Dominant First Half

Thomas Tuchel's side came out with intensity after their semi-final heartbreak against Argentina. Declan Rice opened the scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box, followed by a header from Ezri Konsa off a corner. Bukayo Saka then took over, netting twice before halftime to put England firmly in control.

France's Second-Half Resurgence

Didier Deschamps, coaching his final match for France, rallied his team at the break. Kylian Mbappé responded immediately after halftime, scoring two goals and assisting Bradley Barcola's strike to pull France within one goal. Mbappé became the first male player to reach double figures at a World Cup since Gerd Müller in 1970.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• England secured third place at the World Cup for the first time in their history.
• Bukayo Saka's hat-trick was the first by an English player in a World Cup third-place match.
• Kylian Mbappé finishes the tournament as top scorer with 10 goals.
• Thomas Tuchel's tactical adjustments in the first half proved decisive.
• France's late rally showed their resilience but fell short.

What This Means for Both Teams

For England, this victory provides a morale boost after the disappointment of the semi-final. Tuchel has signed a contract extension and aims to lead the team into Euro 2028 on home soil. For France, the loss marks the end of Deschamps' 14-year tenure, with Mbappé paying tribute to his coach on social media before the match.

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