Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick propelled England to a sensational 6-4 victory over France in the bronze medal match of the 2026 World Cup held in Miami, marking England's best finish since 1966.

England dominated the first half, leading 4-0 at halftime with goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and two from Saka. However, the second half saw a remarkable resurgence from France, led by Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice to become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals. The match’s intensity escalated as France's Bradley Barcola also found the net, narrowing the gap.

Key moments included:

• 87th minute: Saka converted a penalty to complete his hat-trick.
• 96th minute: Ousmane Dembele scored for France, reigniting hopes of a comeback.
• 90+8 minute: Jude Bellingham sealed the victory with England's sixth goal, setting a record for the most goals by an England player at a major tournament with seven.

England's head coach Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for not including Saka in the semi-final against Argentina, but praised the team’s resilience and mentality. Saka expressed his desire to have played more, stating, "I would love to have played more."

Despite the thrilling win, England's performance raised questions about their earlier semi-final exit. Yet, the match against France showcased their potential and left fans hopeful for future successes, particularly with the 2028 Euros on the horizon.