In a breathtaking World Cup third-place playoff, England edged out France 6-4 in a match that swung wildly from start to finish. Thomas Tuchel's side delivered a stunning first-half performance, scoring four goals, with contributions from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and two from Bukayo Saka. Despite a strong comeback from Kylian Mbappé, who netted two goals, England's lead proved resilient.

The scoring started early when Rice capitalized on a Désiré Doué mistake, putting England ahead. Konsa doubled the lead with a clever header from a corner, followed by Saka's two goals, the latter coming just before half-time, leaving France reeling.

After the break, France made tactical changes, and within minutes, Mbappé struck, igniting a comeback with a goal from Bradley Barcola to bring the score to 4-2. Mbappé then scored again, narrowing the gap to 4-3 and putting pressure on England.

However, Saka's late penalty completed his hat-trick, and Jude Bellingham added another, securing England's historic third-place finish—their first ever. The day was marred by a somber mood as both teams sought to recover from their semi-final exits.

Despite the victory, Tuchel faces challenges ahead as he aims to rebuild his reputation with the England supporters. The match will be remembered as a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the resilience and talent of both teams, particularly Saka's standout performance.