England claimed third place in the World Cup with a breathtaking 6-4 victory over France, a match that swung wildly after the visitors built a 4-0 lead inside the first 45 minutes. Bukayo Saka's hat-trick proved decisive, but France staged a remarkable fightback to level at 4-4 before Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time winner sealed it.
Declan Rice opened the scoring after three minutes, Ezri Konsa doubled the lead from Rice's assist, and Bukayo Saka struck twice before the break — first from Marcus Rashford's pass, then Eberechi Eze's delivery — to make it 4-0. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back early in the second half, Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit, and Mbappé's second made it 3-4 by the 66th minute. Saka restored England's two-goal cushion with his third at 87, but Ousmane Dembélé equalised in the 90th minute. Jude Bellingham then grabbed the winner deep into stoppage time.
Both sides fired 19 shots, but England were more clinical, putting 11 on target to France's nine and converting six goals from an expected goals total of 2.58 — a testament to their finishing. France's xG of 2.87 reflected their dominance in spells, yet England held 54% possession and created more big chances (7-6), even if they missed five of them.
