Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England held off a stunning France fightback to claim a 6-4 victory in a madcap Miami thriller on Saturday, securing third place for their best World Cup finish since their sole title triumph in 1966.In a match of two halves where defending was a second thought, Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become the all-time World Cup top scorer as France battled back from 4-0 down at halftime to come within a handful of missed chances of equalising.
Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot three minutes from time to make it 5-3 and calm England's nerves, having scored twice in the first half after goals from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa had given England the perfect start.
There was still time for a strike from Ousmane Dembele to offer France hope, but substitute Jude Bellingham snuffed it out deep in stoppage time with his seventh goal atthe tournament - the most by an England player at a single World Cup.
"We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half," said England manager Thomas Tuchel.
"We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks ... I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again."
