In a thrilling encounter, England showcased their potential as they faced France in a match that ended 6-4 on December 16, 2022. This game, albeit a third-place playoff, demonstrated England's capabilities, revealing a stark contrast to their earlier performances in the tournament.

Bukayo Saka made history by becoming only the fourth Englishman to score a World Cup hat-trick, joining legends like Geoff Hurst and Harry Kane. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham helped England become the first team to score six goals against France in World Cup history. Despite the victory, a sense of regret lingered as fans questioned why this version of England did not appear against Argentina in the semi-finals.

Key highlights of the match included:

• Declan Rice dominating the midfield, scoring the opener and assisting the second goal.
• A vibrant attacking display from England, with Marcus Rashford and Saka leading counter-attacks that overwhelmed the French defense.
• Ezri Konsa, who had failed to impress in previous matches, scoring a crucial goal from a corner.

The match also featured a remarkable comeback from France, spurred on by Kylian Mbappe, who netted two goals and became the tournament's top scorer. The dramatic shift in momentum kept fans on the edge of their seats, especially as Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola contributed to France's scoring spree.

As Didier Deschamps concluded his tenure as France's coach, the match underscored both England's potential and the missed opportunities of the tournament. Tuchel's side finished with six victories, marking England's most successful World Cup since 1966, yet it left supporters pondering what could have been.