England beat France in 10-goal thriller to win third-place play-off

England secured their best men’s World Cup finish since 1966 with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off, a match that delivered 10 goals and a Bukayo Saka hat-trick. The performance capped a tournament of highs and lows for Gareth Southgate’s side, ending their campaign on a high note after a semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain. The game was played at a relentless tempo, with both teams attacking freely and defensive lapses punished repeatedly. England’s win came despite conceding four times, including goals from Randal Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, and a late penalty from William Saliba, while France’s defensive structure collapsed under the weight of their own attacking ambitions.

How England turned a tight contest into a rout

England started brightly, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring in the 10th minute after a quick break down the left flank, finishing low past Mike Maignan with his weaker right foot. France equalised through an Olivier Giroud header in the 17th minute, capitalising on a defensive mix-up between John Stones and Harry Maguire. The lead changed hands twice in the opening 20 minutes, with Saka restoring England’s advantage with his second of the evening in the 38th minute, slotting home after a cut-back from Phil Foden. The second half saw England pull away, with Saka completing his hat-trick midway through the second period in the 55th minute, latching onto a long ball from Declan Rice before rounding Maignan. A late consolation from Kolo Muani in the 78th minute and Saliba’s penalty in the 89th did little to flatter France’s performance as England held firm to secure the win.

What this result means for England’s next steps

This victory provides a morale boost ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers, where England will face tougher opponents in a more competitive group. The display of attacking intent, particularly from Saka, will reassure selectors that the squad remains capable of high-level performances. For France, the defeat underlines the challenges they face in balancing experience with youth development, especially with a World Cup on home soil looming in 2024. The match also highlighted England’s ability to recover from setbacks, a trait that will be crucial in upcoming qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

Tactical takeaways from a chaotic encounter

The match exposed defensive frailties on both sides, with England’s backline repeatedly caught out by quick transitions. France’s high press forced England into errors, but Southgate’s side adapted by switching to a more direct approach in the second half, exploiting the pace of their attackers. The substitutions made a clear impact, with fresh legs from Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney injecting energy and creativity into the game. France’s inability to manage the game’s tempo ultimately cost them, as England’s superior fitness told in the final 20 minutes. Southgate’s decision to introduce Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo added steel to the midfield, allowing Rice and Foden to push higher and support the attack.

England’s third-place finish marks a significant achievement in a tournament where they were among the most entertaining teams. The win will be remembered for Saka’s individual brilliance, but it was the collective resilience that defined the evening. As Southgate looks ahead, the focus will shift to maintaining this momentum while addressing the defensive vulnerabilities that threatened to derail their campaign. For France, the defeat serves as a reminder that rebuilding a squad capable of winning major tournaments requires more than just talent—it demands tactical discipline and composure under pressure. The match also underscored the importance of squad depth, with England’s bench players making a tangible difference in the second half.