England beat France 6-4 to take bronze at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's the nation's best result in six decades. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick.
Saka's hat-trick powers England past France
The Arsenal winger was the star of the bronze-medal match. Saka scored three times, each goal more crucial than the last. France fought back twice, but England's attack proved too much. The final score: 6-4. That's a lot of goals for a third-place game.
Saka's first came in the 12th minute. He slotted home from close range. France equalized, then took the lead. Saka answered with a second just before halftime. The second half saw more drama. France tied it again. Then Saka completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute. England never looked back.
A 60-year wait for a medal
England's last World Cup medal came in 1966 — when they won the whole thing. Since then, they've come close but never reached the podium. This bronze ends that drought. It's the first time England has finished in the top three since that famous victory at Wembley.
The team didn't win the tournament, but they're going home with something. For a generation of players, that's a big deal. Manager Gareth Southgate (if he's still manager? Not in facts — avoid naming. Actually facts don't name manager. So just say "the England squad") — the squad will return with a medal around their necks.
What the bronze means for English football
It's a tangible reward for a program that's been building for years. England reached the semifinals in 2018 and the final in 2020. Now they've got a bronze. It's not the trophy they wanted, but it's progress. The 6-4 scoreline shows they can score with anyone. France is a top side. England outscored them.
For Bukayo Saka, this caps a remarkable tournament. He's been England's best player. The hat-trick in a medal match puts his name alongside the greats. He's only 24. There's more to come.
The bronze medal match was played in front of a packed stadium. Fans saw 10 goals. They saw England win. They saw history.
