Watch: Chaotic Saka goal helps England build 4-0 1st-half lead on France

Caio Miari ·
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Bukayo Saka #7 of England celebrates with Marcus Rashford #11 of England after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Sarah Stier - FIFA / FIFA / Getty

England came out flying against France in the World Cup's third-place match Saturday, building a 4-0 lead in the first half.

Bukayo Saka found the net twice in the first 45 minutes, one of which was a chaotic goal for the Three Lions' third of the game.

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Declan Rice opened the scoring for England in the third minute with a flawless strike from outside the box. He then delivered a perfect cross on a corner kick to Ezri Konsa to double the Three Lions' lead.

Thomas Tuchel made several changes to England's starting lineup for the match, including putting Harry Kane on the bench. Didier Deschamps, who's coaching France for the last time at a major tournament, also changed his starting XI, though Kylian Mbappe started with the Golden Boot race on the line.

Mbappe scored twice in the second half to take the solo lead in the Golden Boot race over Lionel Messi and become the World Cup's all-time scoring leader with 22 goals.

France scored four goals in the second half, but it wasn't enough. Saka completed his hat-trick in crunch time to give England a thrilling 6-4 victory and seal the Three Lions' best World Cup campaign since 1966.

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