France vs England —World Cup: Live score and match stats

Full-time: France 4-6 England

England claim third place after a goal-filled thriller against France

In a spectacular goal fest at the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off, England edged past France with a 6-4 victory. The Three Lions dominated from the start, racing into a four-goal lead.

France mounted a valiant fightback in the second half, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to reduce the deficit. However, Bukayo Saka's hat-trick and Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time strike sealed the win for England. With this result, Thomas Tuchel's side secure third place at the 2026 World Cup.

98 mins: France 4-6 England

Bellingham seals it – England have the last word with a sixth goal on the counter!

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, with France throwing everyone forward in search of an equaliser, England delivered a devastating sucker punch. A lightning-fast counter-attack raced up the pitch and found Jude Bellingham in the centre of the box. With superb control, he unleashed a precise right-footed strike into the back of the net.

It was the final word in a breathtaking contest – England's sixth goal sealing a famous victory and ensuring the last laugh belonged to the Three Lions.

96 mins: France 4-5 England

Dembélé strikes in the dying moments to spark late drama – but England are on the verge of victory

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, France produced one final surge of hope. A rapid counter-attack tore through England's defence, and the ball found Ousmane Dembélé in the centre of the box. With composure, he fired a precise left-footed finish into the net.

The goal cut the deficit to 5-4 and injected fresh tension into the contest. Dembélé had given France a lifeline in the dying embers of the game, but with time all but run out, there was little opportunity left for an equaliser. England, holding onto their one-goal lead, are now within touching distance of victory.

93 mins: France 3-5 England

Dembélé's shot goes off target – France fail to reduce the deficit

In the third minute of stoppage time, France mounted another attack. Ousmane Dembélé fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but he couldn't keep his effort on target. The ball sailed wide of the post, and another promising chance went begging for the French. As a result, England – leading 5-3 – can now breathe a little easier as they see out the final moments of the match.

87 mins: France 3-5 England

Saka's hat-trick – penalty makes it five for England!

In the 87th minute, Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. After Jed Spence was fouled inside the box, Saka stepped up and sent a precise left-footed strike low into the bottom right corner, sending the French goalkeeper the wrong way.

With this goal, England have stretched their lead to 5-3. Saka, who had been in sparkling form from the very start, added this penalty to his two earlier open-play goals to seal his treble – and dealt a major blow to France's hopes of a late comeback.

84 mins: France 3-4 England

Mbappé's long-range strike – Henderson's brilliant save keeps England ahead

In the 84th minute, France pushed forward once again in search of an equaliser after reducing the deficit. Kylian Mbappé received a pass from Bradley Barcola and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from just outside the box. However, England goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a magnificent save to tip the ball away, denying France yet another goal.

77 mins: France 3-4 England

France push forward – Gusto wins a free-kick

In the 77th minute, France launched another attack and earned a crucial free-kick. Malo Gusto was brought down by an England player while advancing down the right flank. This gives the French a set-piece opportunity from a promising position in the opposition half. Trailing by just one goal, France will be looking to make this chance count as they search for an equaliser.

Mbappé rewrites World Cup history with a brace – sets all-time goal record

With his second goal in this third-place play-off against England, France captain Kylian Mbappé has etched his name into footballing immortality. In the 66th minute, he finished from Michael Olise's pass to take his tally to TEN goals in the 2026 World Cup.

That strike also took Mbappé's overall World Cup goal count to 22 – moving him past Lionel Messi's record of 21 to become the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. The French superstar now stands alone at the top of the all-time list.

Remarkably, Mbappé has also become the first player since Germany's Gerd Müller in 1970 to reach 10 goals in a single World Cup tournament. With this performance, he has also cemented his place at the summit of the Golden Boot race.

66 mins: France 3-4 England

Mbappé's brace brings France back – deficit now just one goal

France have mounted a stunning second-half comeback. In the 66th minute, Kylian Mbappé received a pinpoint pass from Michael Olise inside the box and fired a low left-footed shot into the England net. This was the French captain's second goal of the match and his ninth of the tournament.

Having trailed 4-0 at one stage, France have now clawed their way back to 4-3. With Mbappé's brace and Barcola's strike, the game has been reignited, and England are now under serious pressure in the closing stages.

64 mins: France 2-4 England

Dembélé's shot stopped by Henderson – France unable to cut the deficit

France are throwing everything forward in search of a way back into the match. In the 64th minute, substitute Ousmane Dembélé received a superb pass from Kylian Mbappé inside the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike. However, England goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a brilliant save to keep the ball out, denying France what looked like a certain goal.

Thanks to that save, England still hold a 4-2 lead. But with France continuing to pile on the pressure in the second half, the tension is rising with every passing minute.

60 mins: France 2-4 England

Olise's powerful strike goes narrowly wide

France are continuing their fightback in impressive fashion. In the 60th minute, Michael Olise unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from just outside the box. However, the ball curled just wide of the left post. The attack was set up by a brilliant pass from Warren Zaïre-Emery.

58 mins: France 2-4 England

England win a corner – Three Lions look to maintain the pressure

In the 58th minute, England earned a corner opportunity. The chance came after a deflection off French defender Dayot Upamecano sent the ball behind. With a 4-2 lead, the Three Lions are continuing to press forward in search of extending their advantage.

54 mins: France 2-4 England

Barcola strikes from Mbappé's through ball – France are fighting back

France signalled their intent to mount a comeback early in the second half. In the 54th minute, Bradley Barcola received a superb through ball from Kylian Mbappé and fired a precise right-footed finish into the net. The goal pulled France back to 4-2.

Earlier, in the 47th minute, Mbappé himself had reduced the deficit with a goal of his own. Just minutes later, Barcola's strike has breathed new life into the contest. Current score: France 2-4 England.

49 mins: France 1-4 England

Mbappé pulls one back – but England still firmly ahead

France signalled their intent to fight back early in the second half. In the 48th minute, Kylian Mbappé received a brilliant through ball from Michael Olise and, from inside the box, applied a precise left-footed finish into the net. England's goalkeeper had no chance as the attack unfolded at pace.

The goal reduces the deficit, but England remain in control of the match. With Bukayo Saka's brace and strikes from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa, the Three Lions still hold a commanding 4-1 lead.

Mbappe now leads the Golden Boot race with nine goals.

48 mins: France 0-4 England

Fifth-goal chance goes begging – Toney's shot blocked

England had a golden opportunity to increase their lead even further early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Ivan Toney received a pass from Morgan Rogers and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from the right side of the box. However, the ball deflected off a French defender and was blocked. The Three Lions were denied a goal from this promising attack as well.

Current score: France 0-4 England.

47 mins: France 0-4 England

Toney's shot blocked by France's defence

England had a chance to extend their lead even further early in the second half. In the 48th minute, Ivan Toney received a pass from Morgan Rogers and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from the right side of the box. However, the ball deflected off a French defender and was blocked. The Three Lions were denied a fifth goal but continue to control the game with a 4-0 lead.

46 mins: France 0-4 England

Saka's double leaves France shattered – England lead 4-0 at the break

In stoppage time of the first half, England tore through France's defence once again. In the 46th minute, Bukayo Saka received a perfectly weighted through ball from Eberechi Eze and, from just outside the box, fired a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan had no chance.

This was Saka's second goal of the match. His first came in the 36th minute, when he finished off a rapid counter-attack from Marcus Rashford's pass. England had taken an early lead through Declan Rice's superb strike, before Ezri Konsa headed home from Rice's corner to make it 2-0.

France did manage a few attacks, but Kylian Mbappé failed to convert either of his two efforts – one went wide, while the other was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Dean Henderson. By the end of the first half, England were in complete control. Current score: France 0-4 England.

40 mins: France 0-3 England

Doué fouled – France earn a dangerous free-kick

In the 40th minute, France's Désiré Doué was brought down under pressure from England's defence while trying to launch an attack down the right flank. As a result, France were awarded a free-kick in a promising position. However, they failed to fashion any significant threat from the set-piece. England continue to hold firm control of the match, with Bukayo Saka's third goal giving the Three Lions a commanding 3-0 lead.

23 mins: France 0-2 England

Hydration break – and it’s come at a bad time for England, but a good one for France! The Three Lions have made a flying start and fully merit their two-goal cushion. France, on the other hand, look well off the pace.

22 mins: France 0-2 England

France pushed forward quickly in search of a way back into the game, but their effort came to nothing. In the 22nd minute, captain Kylian Mbappé unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from just outside the box. The chance came from a pass by Michael Olise, but Mbappé couldn't keep his effort on target – the ball flew wide past the right post. France miss a golden opportunity to pile pressure on England, who remain two goals ahead.

20 mins: France 0-2 England

GOAL! Konsa scores for England.

A good header from Konsa. The Aston Villa defender has his second international goal as he heads home Rice’s corner.

The marking was non-existent from the French defence but Konsa’s header is a good one as he steers the ball into the far corner.

20 mins: England earn a free-kick after a foul by Ibrahima Konaté

England pushed forward in the 20th minute. After a foul by French defender Ibrahima Konaté, the Three Lions were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area. Already leading from the start, England are looking to extend their advantage, while France are seeing more of the ball as they search for an equaliser. Score: France 0-1 England.

England find the net, but offside called

England scores again… but the offside flag cuts the celebration short!

Saka races through and calmly bends a left-footed effort into the far corner, only for the linesman’s flag to go up straight away.

It’s a tight call—he’s just strayed offside.

France quickly push forward on the counter, but their attack fizzles out.

The virtual replay confirms the decision: Saka was nearly three-quarters of a body length ahead of the final defender.

France are beginning to see more of the ball as the half progresses…

12 mins: France 0-1 England

GOAL! England take the lead!

What a goal from Declan Rice! Rice intercepts a poor pass from Desire Doue, drives forward and curls in an exquisite strike from 20 yards!

Mike Maignan could do nought but stand and watch.

3 mins: France 0-1 England

Game on!
France get us underway in the penultimate game of the World Cup.

1 min: France 0-0 England

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Lacroix, T Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Rabiot; Olise, Cherki, Doue; Mbappe

England (4-1-4-1): Henderson; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Spence; Rice; Saka, Eze, Rogers, Rashford; Toney

England vs France: Head-to-head

This is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England – the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982), but France won 2-1 in their most recent meeting in the 2022 quarterfinals.

Overall, England have won just one of their last nine matches against France (D2 L6), winning 2-0 in a November 2015 friendly.

Deschamps' farewell stage, Mbappe's Golden Boot quest: France vs England in bronze battle

No one ever wants a consolation prize on the grand stage of football. But after the cruel reality of a semi-final defeat shatters golden dreams of the trophy, the urge to end the tournament with at least a victory lingers deep within. Two eternal rivals of Europe — France and England — will face each other in the third-place playoff today at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, kicking off at 3am Bangladesh time (5pm local time).

How the two teams exited the semi-finals



France entered the semi-finals as one of the tournament favourites, but Mbappe's side could not stand before Spain. They lost 2-0 to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, ending their final dream. England, on the other hand, made a brilliant start against defending champions Argentina in Atlanta, but ultimately saw their dream shattered. After taking the lead through Anthony Gordon, they conceded an equaliser from Enzo Fernandez and a winner from Lautaro Martinez to lose 2-1, ending Thomas Tuchel's side's campaign. France and England have faced each other 32 times before, with their last meeting exactly four years ago in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, which France won.

The Golden Boot equation

This match is a big stage not just for team achievement, but also for proving individual brilliance. Kylian Mbappe is level with Lionel Messi on eight goals, but the French captain is slightly behind on assists (Messi has 4, Mbappe has 3). Since Messi will be busy in the final, this match is Mbappe's last chance to increase his goal tally and secure the Golden Boot outright. His total goals across the tournament (including qualifiers) stand at 20, taking him close to the all-time top scorers' list, where Messi leads with 21. Behind Mbappe are England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both with six goals. A good performance today could see them enter the Golden Boot race as well.


Two coaches, different realities

This match is set to be Didier Deschamps' last in charge of France, ending his 14-year reign. In this time, he has brought the team the 2018 World Cup title, a final in 2022, and the feat of reaching three consecutive semi-finals. Winning this match would give France a third straight World Cup podium finish and a chance to bid farewell to Deschamps with a victory. Thomas Tuchel, by contrast, is under criticism. Before the match, he himself admitted, "No English or French player wants to play this match. They wanted to play the final. We gave everything to reach the final."


Winning this match and securing the bronze medal would be England's best result in 60 years since their only World Cup win in 1966. Previously, they had to settle for fourth place after losing the third-place playoff in 1990 and 2018.


Confirmed team changes

France's defensive mainstay William Saliba is not playing this match. The Arsenal defender, who left the field in the first half against Spain with a back injury, is expected to be replaced by Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix, who will partner Ibrahima Konate in central defence. Jules Kounde continues on the right, but Theo Hernandez could start on the left in place of Lucas Digne, following Digne's struggles against Lamine Yamal in the semi-final.

England have also lost Reece James to injury. Tuchel may make significant changes to manage fatigue, looking to give opportunities to rested players. However, captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are likely to start due to the Golden Boot race. Both teams are physically and mentally exhausted after a long campaign in the expanded 48-team tournament, so both coaches may ring the changes.

Opta supercomputer prediction

Statistical firm Opta's supercomputer, after simulating the match 25,000 times, has placed France clearly ahead in this battle. France's win probability is 50.7 percent, while England's is 25.6 percent. The probability of a draw is 23.7 percent.

High-voltage match: France and England probable lineups revealed

The two powerhouses of the footballing world are set to face off in a blockbuster match. Ahead of this high-voltage clash, the probable tactics and lineups of both teams have emerged. Both sides are fielding strong lineups to give their best and secure victory.


France probable lineup (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Theo Hernandez; N'Golo Kante, Warren Zaire-Emery; Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappe.

England probable lineup (Formation: 4-1-3-2)

Jordan Pickford; N. O'Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Kobbie Mainoo; Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke; Harry Kane.

On one side, the honour of French legend Deschamps' farewell and Mbappe's Golden Boot quest; on the other, England's chance to end sixty years of waiting — all combined, this Miami battle, even as a consolation match, will be high on excitement.