England holds off France in wild World Cup third place match: Highlights, recap

Dan Rorabaugh and Liam Rooney, USA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaSat, July 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC·15 min read

England claims third place in the 2026 World Cup after beating France, 6-4 in a wild game that featured six second-half goals in Miami on Saturday, July 18.

Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick, Kylian Mbappé set the World Cup record for most goals scored all-time in the competition, with 22 goals scored, and Jude Bellingham scored a world-class goal to finish an end-to-end game.

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But Les Bleus and the Three Lions will square off for the bronze medal instead. It was a treat for fans of attacking soccer: France and England have scored the second- and third-most goals at this tournament. They boast four of the six leaders in the Golden Boot race: France with Kylian Mbappé (the 2022 winner) and Ousmane Dembele, England with Harry Kane (2018) and Jude Bellingham.

Here is a recap of all the action.

Watch France vs. England in World Cup live

France vs England score updates

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France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France's goalkeeper #16 Mike Maignan concedes a goal scored by England's midfielder #04 Declan Rice (out of frame) and his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup football tournament third-place match between France and England at the Miami Stadium in Miami on July 18, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images) (CHANDAN KHANNA, AFP via Getty Images)

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

France vs England World Cup third-place match in Miami

90' +7 Goal! Jude Bellingham scores off the bench, seals it for England

And breathe.

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Jude Bellingham caps off a magical run, which starts at midfield and ends with him dancing by multiple French defenders before passing into the net and winning the game for England. An absurd game ends with an absurd goal from Bellingham, who scores his seventh goal of the World Cup.

The final whistle blows after Bellingham's goal, giving England a third-place finish.

90' +5 Goal! Ousmane Dembele scores, sets up dramatic final two minutes

It's not over yet! Ousmane Dembele bends one into the far corner, beating the outstretched foot of England's Trevoh Chalobah.

It was a blistering counterattack. France have played with a different energy in the second half, too little too late.

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86' Goal! Bukayo Saka scores the penalty, records a hat trick

After Jude Bellingham stood on the penalty spot, he hands the ball off to Bukayo Saka for the Arsenal winger to calmly dispatch his penalty into the right corner of the goal and record his hat trick.

England got a scare in the second half, but the 5-3 lead should be enough to see the game out now.

84' Penalty to England! Djed Spence brought down by Malo Gusto

A quick counterattack ends with Djed Spence taken down in the penalty area by a slide tackle from Malo Gusto. It's a penalty to England, who are given a lifeline after being blitzed in the second half.

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80' Michael Olise misses a golden chance to tie the game for France

The combination of Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise works a golden chance for Olise to tie the game, but after a well-taken one-two with Dembele, Olise places his shot wide of the right post. Much to the shock of everyone on the pitch and around teh stadium.

Olise, who passed Pele for most single-tournament World Cup assists with seven, has had multiple chances to score, which he hasn't taken.

78' Jude Bellingham enters for England

England superstar Jude Bellingham has been sent on by Thomas Tuchel to help maintain the slim lead it holds.

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Bellingham likely thought his World Cup was over, but with England surrendering three goals in the second half, he is on to help stabilize a shaky ship.

74' Michael Olise nearly ties it for France

The French are seeking a fourth goal to tie the game, and Michael Olise nearly completed the improbable turnaround. He gets on the end of a cross from Malo Gusto, and his first-time strike from just inside the penalty area flashes just wide of the goal.

England are holding on, for now, as France don't look like a side that wants to go home on a defeat.

66' Goal! Kylian Mbappé scores a brace; currently holds World Cup record for goals scored

Kylian Mbappé has done it again! France trailed 4-0 at halftime, but two goals from Mbappé and one from Bradley Barcola have the French trailing by a single goal now.

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Mbappé finished off a slick passing move between Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, receiving a pass from Olise and feinting past a defender and slotting his second goal of the match home.

With the goal, Mbappé has now scored the most goals ever in the World Cup, passing Lionel Messi with 22 goals. He also now leads the Golden Boot race in the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals.

62' England regaining control after blistering French start to the 2nd half

Two goals inside the first 10 minutes of the second half for France have England's attention as teh Three Lions are starting to slow things down and recycle possession in an effort to take back some control of the match.

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France has a chance with Michael Olise, but his shot goes wide. Plenty of warning signs for the English defense, but they still have a two-goal lead to add some comfort.

54' Goal! Bradley Barcola scores France's second goal in 10 minutes

Bradley Barcola, who has been on the field for less than 10 minutes, has his name on the scoresheet. Kylian Mbappé now adds an assist to his goal, as he found a streaking Barcola, who calmly takes a few touches inside the penalty area before smashing a goal past Dean Henderson at his near post.

France now trails 4-2. Never say never, right?

50' Adrien Rabiot fires a volley wide

France looks a different side in the second half, with a goal already scored; the French nearly get a second. After a headed clearance keeps Kylian Mbappé from potentially getting a second goal, it falls in the path of Adrien Rabiot, who volleys a shot just wide of the goal.

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The French are looking to orchestrate a miracle comeback, now trailing 4-1.

47' Goal! Kylian Mbappé gets one back for France

Kylian Mbappé scores with a calm finish past Dean Henderson to get one back for France immediately in the first half. Dayot Upamecano, who replaced Ibrahima Konate at halftime, won a challenge at midfield, which springs a counterattack, finding Michael Olise, who plays a through pass that finds Mbappé, and he dispatches his goal.

He now leads the World Cup with nine goals.

46' Second half kicks off in Miami

What response will France have after a first-half battering from England, trailing 4-0.

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Bukayo Saka scored twice, Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa added one goal each as well.

45' Goal! Bukayo Saka scores a first-half brace

England continues to carve open a pedestrian French defense, and Bukayo Saka scores his second of the match with a sweet finish.

Eberechi Eze rolls a defender with a body feint in midfield, and he quickly lifts his head and picks out Saka, who made a darting run across the France backline. He takes a touch and rolls his shot into the far corner to score a brace and put England ahead by an incredible four goals in the first half.

England leads 4-0 at half-time.

37' Goal! Bukayo Saka gets his goal; England adds a third

The English domination continues, with Bukayo Saka finally getting his goal. He's had one ruled out for offside already, and had multiple efforts saved. He scores after Marcus Rashford breaks from midfield, going one-on-one with Mike Maignan.

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Rashford's effort is stopped, but Saka picks up the ball. After a few touches at the top of the box, he gets his shot saved, but the ball rolls to Rashford, who dribbles until he finds Saka again, with the winger's strike ending up in the back of the net, even after a deflection on the goal line.

35' England, France get a chance apiece

End-to-end stuff in Miami as both sides exchange chances. Marcus Rashford has a long-range effort saved by Mike Maignan.

Kylian Mbappé has a strike saved by Dean Henderson on the other end. Breathtaking stuff from both sides.

22' Hydration break arrives with England ahead

It's been all-England in the opening 22 minutes, and they lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa. Rice assisted Konsa's header with his well-taken corner kick.

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France have lacked the cutting edge that the team often possesses. Despite the negative emotions by many around the third-place match, England is enjoying its outing in Miami early.

18' Goal! Ezri Konsa scores England's second goal

It's all England, as the Three Lions score a second goal in the opening 20 minutes. After Bukayo Saka has his shot blocked and set wide for a corner kick, Ezri Konsa nods home a headed effort off the post, nestling into the right corner of the net.

Declan Rice has now added an assist to his goal. What a blistering start for England in the opening 20 minutes of the game. Dominant, and on the front foot. France don't look as switched on as the English right now.

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12' Rayan Cherki gets France's first big chance; Bukayo Saka scores an offside goal

France breaks quickly with a counterattack, and after Desire Doué is beaten to the ball by the English defense, Rayan Cherki is the first to the loose ball on the edge of the box, and he takes a shot that is saved by Dean Henderson.

End-to-end stuff right now. After Henderson's save, Bukayo Saka makes a defense-splitting run, which is adjudged to be offside, and it rules out his would-be goal for England.

6' Marcus Rashford almost doubles England's lead

A blistering start for England, which almost doubles its lead with a volleyed effort from Marcus Rashford. The winger set himself with a touch before putting his laces through a volley, which was blocked by Malo Gusto and sent out for a corner kick.

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France's defense is vulnerable, and England are looking to take advantage of it.

2' Goal! Declan Rice scores from long range for England

England strikes first as Declan Rice fires home from long range. He intercepts a pass in midfield from Desire Doué, who tried to play a cross-field pass from the left side of the field, and after he takes a few touches, Rice places a long-range strike into the far corner from outside the 18-yard box.

It has been a brighter start for England, and they got an early reward for quick pressure.

1' Kickoff! France gets the ball rolling on the third-place match

France kicks the ball out of bounds to start the game, pressing England early with the rugby-style kickoff.

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France takes the field for the final time under Didier Deschamps

Head coach Didier Deschamps will step away from his role with France after the match, ending over a decade of leading the French national team. Under Deschamps, France won the World Cup in 2018, reached the final in 2022, and reached the 2016 European Championship final.

It has been reported that French midfield legend Zinedine Zidane will take over for Deschamps as the next head coach, though no official announcement has been made.

England without midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, both sides make heavy changes

Both sides rotated starting XI's, with France fielding a stronger starting lineup in comparison to England. One interesting miss for the Three Lions is Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who would have likely been in line for his first minutes of the tournament for England in Miami, but he misses with injury.

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England rotated Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham out of the lineup as well. France start Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise, but have sat the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Bradly Barcola.

France, England lineups today

France: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Desire Doue

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

What time does England vs France play today?

• Date: Saturday, July 18

• Start time: 5 p.m. ET

France vs England TV channel, live stream

• TV: Fox (English) | Telemundo (Spanish)

• Streaming: Fubo | Peacock (Spanish)

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Where is France playing England today in World Cup?

The France vs. England World Cup match is at Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins and college football's Miami Hurricanes.

England vs France predictions

• Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY: France 3, England 1

• Ben Knapton, Sports Mole: France 2, England 1

• Byron David, Goal.com: France 2, England 1

• Richard Parry, Squawka: France 2, England 1

• Dimers.com: France 1, England 1 (France wins on penalties)

Here's a look at the remaining World Cup games. All times Eastern.

• July 18: France vs. England (Miami) | 5 p.m. | Fox/Telemundo | Fubo

• July 19: Spain vs. Argentina (New York New Jersey) | 3 p.m. | Fox/Telemundo | Fubo

Golden Boot race 2026

Four of the top six in the Golden Boot race will play today in Miami:

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals (4 assists)

2. Kylian Mbappe (France): 8 goals (3 assists)

3. Erling Haaland (Norway): 7 goals (0 assists)

4. Jude Bellingham (England): 6 goals (1 assist)

5. Harry Kane (England): 6 goals (1 assist)

6. Ousmane Dembele (France): 5 goals (2 assists)

Has England ever won the World Cup?

England takes pride in being the birthplace of soccer, beating Germany to win the 1966 World Cup. But that is the last time the men's team has even appeared in the final, falling short in the semifinals in 2026 and 2018. They've also been the runners-up in the past two European championships in 2024 and 2021. The nation has had more success on the women's side, winning back-to-back Euros in 2022 and 2025, but they too have not won the World Cup, finishing second to Spain in 2023.

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All times Eastern.

• France vs. England (bronze medal): 5 p.m. July 18 (Miami)

• Spain vs. Argentina (gold medal): 3 p.m. July 19 (New York New Jersey)

World Cup Miami games

• July 3: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2 (AET) | Round of 32

• July 11: England 2, Norway 1 (AET) | Quarterfinals

• July 18: France vs. England (bronze-medal final) | 5 p.m.

France World Cup schedule

Here's a look at France's run through the World Cup.

• June 16: France 3, Senegal 1 | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium)

• June 22: France 3, Iraq 0 | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium)

• June 26: France 4, Norway 1 | Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium)

• June 30: France 3, Sweden 0 (Round of 32) | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium)

• July 4: France 1, Paraguay 0 (Round of 16) | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium)

• July 9: France 2, Morocco 0 (Quarterfinals) | Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium)

• July 14: Spain 2, France 0 (Semifinals) | AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)

• July 18: France vs England (Third place) | 5 p.m. ET | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)

England World Cup schedule

Here's a look at England's run through the World Cup.

• June 17: England 4, Croatia 2 | AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)

• June 23: England 0, Ghana 0 | Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium)

• June 27: England 2, Panama 0 | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium)

• July 1: England 2, DR Congo 1 (Round of 32) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)

• July 5: England 3, Mexico 2 (Round of 16) | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium)

• July 11: England 2, Norway 1 (Quarterfinals) | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)

• July 15: Argentina 2, England 1 (Semifinals) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)

• July 18: England vs. France (Third place) | 5 p.m. ET | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: England holds off France in wild World Cup third place match: Highlights, recap