England nearly blew a four-goal lead against France as Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick gave the Three Lions a remarkable 6-4 bronze medal win in Miami to achieve their best World Cup finish since 1966.
England were incredibly 4-0 up at half-time through Declan Rice’s opener, Ezri Konsa’s header and Saka’s double as Thomas Tuchel’s side took advantage of a disinterested France.
But the two-time World Cup winners woke up in the second half to threaten a sensational comeback through Kylian Mbappe’s double – which saw him become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer (22 goals) – and substitute Bradley Barcola’s strike.
Michael Olise missed two glorious chances to equalise before Djed Spence won a late penalty from Malo Gusto’s challenge, allowing Saka to score from the spot.
Yet there was still more drama to come as substitute Ousmane Dembele scored a 96th-minute goal to give France hope of avoiding defeat in Didier Deschamps’ last game in charge.
