World Cup 2026 report, consequence targets as Saka scores hat-trick and Kylian Mbappe strikes above Lionel Messi as high scorer

England achieved their second-best end ever on the World Cup as a Bukayo Saka hat-trick helped maintain off France’s comeback in an sudden thriller within the third-place play-off in Miami.

Declan Rice’s long-range effort within the third minute prefaced Ezri Konsa doubling the Three Lions’ lead with a header quarter-hour later and Saka putting twice earlier than half-time.

Kylian Mbappe slotted in twice to succeed in 10 targets on the 2026 version – shifting two targets away from Argentina’s Lionel Messi because the main marksman within the high scorer standings – both facet of the Bleus captain establishing Bradley Barcola to fireside in.

These targets meant the 2018 champions had diminished the deficit to 4-3 by the 66th minute of a breathless and often end-to-end encounter, however Michael Olise missed a presentable alternative earlier than Saka accomplished his treble with a penalty.

Ousmane Dembele curled in his sixth objective of the finals from contained in the field within the 96th minute, just for Jude Bellingham to bounce via a crowd of gamers and smash in his seventh of the match to make sure England, who rested high scorer Harry Kane, took bronze.

World Cup 2026: England boss Tuchel ‘ought to go’

After France suffered a surprisingly simple 2-0 defeat to Spain within the semi-finals, England spurned a 1-0 lead after 84 minutes to lose 2-1 to Argentina, who will meet La Roja within the closing on Sunday (20:00 BST).

The style of England’s capitulation has precipitated many followers and pundits to query head coach Thomas Tuchel’s place.

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy mentioned the show towards France wouldn’t “suppress the criticism” Tuchel will face.

“It was a horrible efficiency within the second half,” Murphy advised BBC Sport of the defeat to the holders.

“They went out with a whimper, moderately than on their protect. I believe he’ll maintain his job, however I don’t suppose he ought to.

“He failed, and he’s failed in the identical means we failed earlier than. It’s the most important match on the planet and he had his alternative.

“I believe he most likely will get the vote of confidence, however [the FA] ought to make a change.”

World Cup 2026: Third-place play-off entertains once more

Since 1974, each third-place play-off has featured a minimum of two targets. The typical is nearly 4, with England’s 2-0 defeat to Belgium in 2018 the one event on which there have been fewer than three.

Groups have often come from behind to win, together with Poland’s 3-2 win over France in 1982, France’s 4-2 victory after further time towards Belgium in 1986 and Germany’s 3-2 defeat in 2010 of Uruguay, who recovered from conceding an early opener to take the lead.

Half of the video games throughout that timespan have contained a minimum of 4 targets, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie, Thomas Muller and Davor Suker among the many scorers.

When England misplaced to hosts Italy in 1990, the targets arrived at five-minute intervals from Roberto Baggio, David Platt and participant of the match Toto Schillaci.

World Cup 2026: England staff vs France

England made seven alterations, with Kane among the many gamers rested and Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and captain Rice retaining their locations.

Kobbie Mainoo, who didn’t function on the finals, was injured.

England beginning XI: Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney

England substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke

World Cup 2026: France full line up vs England

France additionally introduced in seven gamers, retaining Mike Maignan, Adrian Rabiot, Olise and Mbappe.

France beginning XI: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Want Doue

France substitutes: Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta

World Cup 2026: England vs France stats

• Third place is England’s highest end at a World Cup since their sole title in 1966
• England have featured in two earlier World Cup third place play-offs, dropping each of them – 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018
• That they had received certainly one of their earlier 9 matches towards France (D2 L6), prevailing 2-0 in a pleasant in November 2015 pleasant
• With 14 targets, Kane is the joint-fifth highest scorer in World Cup historical past, matching Gerd Muller and one behind Ronaldo Nazario
• Mbappe is the very best scorer within the competitors historical past, along with his 22 targets representing yet one more than Lionel Messi’s complete
• This was the fourth World Cup assembly between France and England – the Three Lions received the primary two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) however France received 2-1 within the 2022 quarter-final
• Each single World Cup third place play-off match has been received with out going to penalties, with solely France’s 4-2 win over Belgium in 1986 going to further time
• France have been competing within the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time. Solely Germany (5) have extra appearances
• Les Bleus beat Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, though they misplaced 3-2 to Poland in 1982
• That they had been unbeaten in 4 aggressive conferences with England (W2 D2) since a 3-1 win on the 1982 World Cup
• France head coach Didier Deschamps took cost of his 187th and closing match as France supervisor, along with his 121 wins greater than some other head coach for Les Bleus (D35 L30)