The World Cup’s most curious occasion produced the most chaotic, breathtaking game of this tournament.Ten goals were scored (the most at this competition), Kylian Mbappe became the World Cup’s record all-time scorer and took a potentially decisive lead in the race to win this year’s Golden Boot and Michael Olise made his own piece of World Cup history to record the most assists ever in a single tournament.In the midst of all the madness, it barely registered that Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick and England won 6-4 (having been 4-0 up at half-time) to take the bronze medal, their best finish at a World Cup since their only victory in the competition in 1966.It was a tennis score, and in truth there could have been far more goals had it not been for some fine saves by England goalkeeper Dean Henderson and some remarkable misses.Our experts discuss the big talking points from an astonishing afternoon in Miami.How did Mbappe make history and move ahead in Golden Boot race?This may be 'only' the third-placed playoff, but Kylian Mbappe warmed up with real intent.He sprinted during the cone drills and motivated his teammates to do the same. He was trying to set an example knowing that the rest of the France players had little interest in playing. Mbappe did, though. He entered the game one goal behind Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 21.In the first half Mbappe searched for space and ran behind the England back line in an attempt to pad his World Cup statistics. The effort was there but the opportunities were limited. With the scoreline 4-0 in favor of England at half-time, you wondered whether Mbappe would even come out of the dressing room. He did. He was the first France player to do so. It felt like a summer friendly, but Mbappe had several objectives to complete.At kickoff, Mbappe had eight goals and four assists. Messi had the exact same totals. He went ahead of the Argentine great in the 48th minute. Mbappe latched onto a wonderful pass from Michael Olise inside the penalty area and finished past Dean Henderson with ease. That goal tied him with Messi for the all-time mark (21).Kylian Mbappe smashes his first goal past Dean Henderson (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)In the 66th minute, another slick two-man move with Oliseh left Mbappe facing Henderson’s goal, and once again, he struck the ball past the England goalkeeper. It was the record-breaking 22nd goal.Both goals were scored with his left foot. After the water break, a small section of the crowd began chanting his name. Mbappe didn’t win the World Cup, as expected, but he left his mark in typical fashion.Felipe CardenasWas this game too chaotic or just great fun?Despite individual talent often on display, it is not always easy to get excited for the third-place play-off game, with both teams coming off the back of damaging semi-final defeats and with, truthfully, little to play for.But even the most cynical fan will have been left open-mouthed at the carnage on display in Miami and by the end even hardened tacticians were simply enjoying the fun.Both teams set up with attacking XIs but, initially at least, England struck a much better balance, capitalising on France’s lack of athleticism and defensive awareness in midfield.
Kylian Mbappe becomes World Cup’s record scorer as England beat France 6-4 in crazy Bronze Final
Analysing the major talking points from a breathtaking World Cup third-placed play-off in Miami










