France 4-6 England Highlights, FIFA World Cup: Bellingham ends goal-fest as England win bronze

That brings an end to our live coverage from Miami, where England capped their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a breathtaking 6-4 victory over France to secure the bronze medal.

Bukayo Saka stole the show with a historic hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham etched his name into the record books as England's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. France mounted a spirited second-half comeback through Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but Thomas Tuchel's side held firm to finish the tournament on a high after the disappointment of their semi-final exit.

Attention now turns to the biggest match of them all as Spain and Argentina meet in Sunday's World Cup final.

Thank you for joining us throughout the tournament. We'll be back for live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Until then, goodbye.

England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his side have taken an important step in closing the gap on one of world football's elite teams after their thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.

Reflecting on the win, Tuchel acknowledged France's sustained success over the past decade but insisted England showed they are moving in the right direction.

"They have the ability to open the gap up again," Tuchel said on BBC.

"Eight years ago they were the champions, four years ago they were in the final and they were in the Nations League final. There is a slight gap, but we want to close it."

The German added that beating France was a significant milestone for his squad before attention turns to their next major challenge.

"I said yesterday: today is the first step to close it. We did it. We beat them. The next one is Spain in the Nations League."

Tuchel also admitted England's semi-final defeat will continue to hurt, but said performances like this reaffirm why he enjoys leading the national team.

"Matches and seeing a team fight like this gives you energy. Sadness will come after. We will still feel the pain when we know that tomorrow is the final. This will take a while. Overall, it gives you more energy than it takes."

The celebrations continued after the medal ceremony as England's players completed a lap of honour around the stadium, acknowledging the supporters who stayed behind to applaud their efforts. After a dramatic 6-4 victory over France, the Three Lions received a warm reception from the travelling fans, bringing the curtain down on an entertaining World Cup campaign.

In another touching moment, the squad presented a bronze medal to Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, who remained with the team throughout the tournament despite not making the final squad. The gesture drew smiles all around and underlined the togetherness Thomas Tuchel has built within the England camp.

England's players finally have something tangible to show for their remarkable World Cup campaign. Led by captain Harry Kane, the Three Lions stepped up one by one to collect their bronze medals after an unforgettable 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff.

There was no trophy presentation for the winners, only medals and a brief stop on the podium for the customary team photograph before the players made their way off the stage. It may not have been the prize England dreamed of at the start of the tournament, but after bouncing back from semi-final heartbreak, Thomas Tuchel's side leave North America with a podium finish and plenty of reasons for optimism.

Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time goal did more than seal England's thrilling 6-4 victory over France. It also etched his name into the history books.

The Real Madrid midfielder has now scored eight FIFA World Cup goals, making him the highest-scoring England player in World Cup history. He moves clear of the previous record of seven goals, capping a sensational tournament in which he once again delivered on the biggest stage.

Bellingham came off the bench before racing through in stoppage time to score England's sixth goal, extinguishing France's hopes of completing an astonishing comeback from 4-0 down.

England survive a chaotic second half to beat France 6-4 and finish third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After racing into a stunning 4-0 half-time lead, Thomas Tuchel's side were pushed to the limit by a spirited French comeback led by Kylian Mbappe. But Bukayo Saka's brilliant hat-trick, coupled with late goals from the penalty spot and Jude Bellingham in stoppage time, ensure England return home with the bronze medal after one of the most extraordinary matches of the tournament.

That should finally settle it. France commit everyone forward in search of an unlikely equaliser, but England break away ruthlessly. Jude Bellingham finishes the move to restore the Two Lions' two-goal advantage, ending any hopes of another dramatic comeback. It is Bellingham's eighth goal in FIFA World Cup history, capping a perfect impact off the bench as England close in on the bronze medal.

Just when England thought the job was done, France strike again. Ousmane Dembele latches onto the space left down England's right flank, cuts inside onto his stronger left foot and curls a superb finish into the far corner beyond Jordan Henderson. It is a brilliant individual goal that gives France renewed hope, with only a couple of minutes remaining. England are suddenly in for a nervy finish.

Thomas Tuchel makes one final defensive change as England edge closer to securing third place. Trevoh Chalobah comes off the bench to replace Marc Guehi, whose work is done after another tireless display at the heart of England's defence. With stoppage time ticking away, England are just moments from finishing their World Cup campaign with a victory.

Bukayo Saka has written his name into England's World Cup history books. His coolly taken penalty against France completes a stunning hat-trick, making him just the fourth England player ever to score three goals in a World Cup match. Saka joins an elite list featuring Sir Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, capping a sensational individual display on the biggest stage.

England's World Cup hat-trick heroes:

• Geoff Hurst – 1966 (World Cup final vs West Germany)
• Gary Lineker – 1986 (vs Poland)
• Harry Kane – 2018 (vs Panama)
• Bukayo Saka – 2026 (vs France)

Bukayo Saka keeps his cool from 12 yards and surely seals third place for England. The Arsenal winger sends Mike Maignan the wrong way with a composed penalty after Djed Spence won the spot-kick, restoring England's two-goal cushion. It is a deserved hat-trick for Saka, who has been England's standout performer on a remarkable night in Miami.

England have a golden chance to put this extraordinary contest to bed. Djed Spence produces a brilliant burst into the penalty area, getting to the ball just ahead of Malo Gusto, who dives into a rash challenge and clips the England wing-back. The referee points straight to the spot. It is a moment of redemption for Spence after his heartbreak against Norway, when a VAR intervention denied him at a crucial moment. Now, England have the chance to restore their two-goal cushion.

England make another defensive switch as Thomas Tuchel looks to protect a fragile one-goal advantage. Reece James replaces the cramping Jarell Quansah, with the defender unable to continue after an exhausting shift. It is not just the players feeling the effects of the relentless pace, as even the referee requires treatment for cramp.

With around seven minutes remaining plus stoppage time, England are desperately trying to see out one of the most chaotic matches of the tournament.

How are France not level? Michael Olise has squandered another gilt-edged opportunity, this time from point-blank range. The ball is cut back perfectly to the winger just a few yards from goal, but with the net seemingly at his mercy, he drags his finish wide. England breathe another huge sigh of relief as France continue to carve them open but fail to land the decisive blow.

Jude Bellingham almost makes an instant impact, but England are left frustrated. Ollie Watkins slips the midfielder clean through on goal, only for Bellingham to hesitate at the crucial moment. Instead of pulling the trigger early, he takes an extra touch and allows Mike Maignan to set himself before firing a tame effort straight at the France goalkeeper. It is a huge let-off for Les Bleus, who remain very much alive.

Thomas Tuchel makes a decisive double change with England desperately trying to protect their one-goal lead. Jude Bellingham replaces the impressive Eberechi Eze to add fresh legs and control in midfield, while Elliot Anderson comes on for Ivan Toney as the Three Lions look to reinforce the engine room rather than chase another goal. After watching France erase a four-goal deficit down to just one, Tuchel is clearly prioritising game management over attack.

England survive again. Malo Gusto's driving run tears open the Three Lions' defence before he squares perfectly for Michael Olise inside the box. With the equaliser at his mercy, the France winger drags his effort agonisingly wide of the post. France continue to pour forward, but this time England escape what looked like an almost certain goal.

England's four-goal cushion is down to one, and Kylian Mbappe is at the heart of another breathtaking France move. Michael Olise combines brilliantly with the captain on the edge of the box before Mbappe slots home with trademark composure to complete a sensational French comeback from 4-0 down.

The goal takes Mbappe to 10 goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, putting him two clear of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race ahead of Sunday's final. It is also his 22nd World Cup goal, making him the outright leading scorer in the tournament's history.

France should have another. Michael Olise glides past Declan Rice with ease before driving into space around 20 yards from goal. With England's defence stretched once again, the forward goes for power but drags his low effort inches wide of the far post. The Three Lions are being carved open far too easily, and France are sensing an unlikely comeback.