France vs England 4-6 Match Report

The Most Goals in a Third-Place Match Ever

On 2026-07-18, the footballing world turned its attention to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for France vs England in the Third-Place Play-Off.

Miami was never going to feel like a final, but it produced a match that no one will forget. Ten goals. End-to-end attacks. Defences that arrived in Miami and promptly decided to enjoy the weather. The third-place play-off has always been football’s most unpredictable fixture, and this one rewrote the record books.

First Half: Fireworks from the Start

England started at a pace that France could not match. Kane opened the scoring inside ten minutes, converting after a sharp Bellingham through ball. Saka doubled the lead with a curling finish from the edge of the box. At 2-0 inside twenty minutes, the bronze medal was already migrating toward England.

France responded through Mbappe, who collected a long ball, cut inside, and fired into the top corner. The game was alive. England restored their two-goal lead before half-time when Rice arrived late at the back post to finish a sweeping team move. 3-1 at the break, but the match was far from settled.

Second Half: Chaos Takes Over

France pulled another goal back early in the second half through Griezmann, and for ten minutes the momentum shifted. England looked nervy. France smelled a famous comeback.

Then the goals really started flowing. England struck twice in quick succession through Watkins and Bellingham to make it 5-2. France refused to fold: Thuram headed in from a set piece, and suddenly it was 5-4 with fifteen minutes remaining.

The decisive moment came from England’s captain. Kane stepped up in the 82nd minute and completed his brace, drilling home from a narrow angle to make it 6-4. France pushed for another but the deficit was too deep.

History Made

The final whistle confirmed 6-4. Ten goals. A third-place match for the ages. England claimed bronze in the highest-scoring play-off in World Cup history. France, exhausted and outscored, finished fourth after a campaign that still reached the final week.

Key Moments

• Kane opens the scoring inside ten minutes
• Mbappe responds with a stunning solo goal
• England go 5-2 up before a French fightback
• Thuram makes it 5-4 to set up a frantic finish
• Kane’s second goal seals the win and the bronze

Match Facts

• The 6-4 scoreline is the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history.
• The match produced ten goals, more than the entire semi-final round combined.
• Harry Kane’s brace took his tournament tally to seven goals.

Final Score

France 4-6 England