England secures third place in World Cup 2026 after 6-4 victory over France

By Brian Otieno — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

England’s best World Cup finish in decades

England achieved their best World Cup finish since 1966, securing third place after a 6-4 win against France in the ‘bronze final’. This result marks only the third time since 1966 that the Three Lions have reached the semi-finals of the tournament. Despite the historic finish, discussions have emerged regarding whether the team’s performance is being fully appreciated, especially following a semi-final loss to Argentina.

The match against France was a high-scoring affair, with England leading 4-0 at half-time. Goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a double from Bukayo Saka put England in a dominant position. France, however, mounted a comeback in the second half with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola, narrowing the deficit. Saka completed his hat-trick late in the game, and Jude Bellingham sealed the 6-4 victory in the 98th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament.

This bronze final was notable for being the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history. It also marked the first time France conceded six goals in a World Cup match, and the first time in 66 years they have conceded six goals in any match.

Tactical decisions and player performances

The tournament saw strong individual performances from several England players. Jude Bellingham ended the competition with seven goals, making him the highest-scoring Englishman in a single World Cup. Harry Kane also received recognition for his contributions, with seven goals, one fewer than Bellingham. Djed Spence was highlighted for a goal-saving challenge against Argentina, while Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka each contributed three assists.

Despite the third-place finish, there have been internal discussions within the England camp regarding manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, particularly after the semi-final defeat to Argentina. Some players reportedly viewed his substitutions and tactical switches as too defensive. Tuchel’s approach in the semi-final led to questions from fans and some players about the team’s attacking intent, especially given the offensive display against France.

The Football Association has reaffirmed its support for Tuchel, with the intention for him to remain in charge for Euro 2028. However, an end-of-tournament review is expected to discuss the defeat by Argentina. Fan reactions, including booing Tuchel before the France game, indicate lingering disappointment.

Looking ahead to Euro 2028

The performance in the World Cup has prompted questions about how England can improve to win Euro 2028. Tuchel’s side, built with a focus on physicality and featuring key players like Bellingham and Kane, demonstrated attacking prowess in the bronze final. The match against France, played with less pressure, showcased a six-goal display that highlighted the team’s offensive capabilities.

Emerging talents such as 17-year-old forward Rio Ngumoah from Liverpool and 16-year-old Max Dowman from Arsenal are expected to be integrated into the squad, potentially offering new options for Tuchel. The challenge for the manager will be to develop a more potent and resilient team, less reliant on a single dimension, as they prepare to face strong opponents like France and Spain in the upcoming Euros. The bronze final victory, despite its chaotic nature, provided a glimpse into the team’s attacking potential.

The match against France saw Declan Rice open the scoring in the third minute, followed by Ezri Konsa’s goal from Rice’s corner. Bukayo Saka then scored twice before half-time, with assists from Marcus Rashford and Eberechi Eze. Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal in the 48th minute, and Bradley Barcola added another six minutes later. Mbappe scored again to make it 4-3, before Saka completed his hat-trick from a penalty in the 87th minute after Djed Spence was fouled. Ousmane Dembele scored for France in stoppage time, but Jude Bellingham’s goal in the 98th minute secured the 6-4 win for England.

Source: bbc.com