NEW DELHI: The 2026 World Cup third-place match between England and France entered the record books on Saturday as the two teams produced a thrilling 10-goal affair.This was the first World Cup match in 64 years in which both teams scored four or more goals, since the Soviet Union and Colombia tied 4-4 in 1962.
It was also the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary’s 10–1 win over El Salvador in 1982, while the ten goals were the most ever scored in a World Cup third-place match.England eventually beat France 6-4 to take the bronze medal.
Saka stars as England take over
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to lead England to victory. He found the back of the net in the 37th minute, first half stoppage time, and from a penalty kick in the 87th minute to score his second hat-trick at international level.Declan Rice opened the scoring before Ezri Konsa doubled England’s lead, helping the Three Lions take a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Jude Bellingham added the final goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time in the second half, raising his tally in the tournament to seven goals.The bronze medal is England’s second-best World Cup result after lifting the trophy in 1966.
Mbappe breaks Messi’s World Cup record
France achieved a strong uprising in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe scoring two goals, and Bradley Barkola and Ousmane Dembele also scoring two goals.
Mbappe’s double raised his tally in the World Cup to 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record of 21 goals.The France captain also rose to the top of the Golden Boot standings with 10 goals, two goals ahead of Messi, who will have another opportunity to add more to his tally when Argentina faces Spain in the final on Sunday.