England secured the bronze medals at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico after defeating France 6-4 in a breathtaking third-place playoff in Miami. The encounter turned into one of the tournament's most entertaining matches, producing 10 goals and dramatic swings in momentum.
The Three Lions dominated the opening half and built what appeared to be an unassailable advantage before the break. Declan Rice opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, then turned provider in the 18th minute when his pass allowed Ezri Konsa to double England's lead.
France's problems deepened as England continued to attack with confidence. In the 37th minute, Marcus Rashford set up Bukayo Saka for the third goal, before Saka struck again just before halftime after being picked out by Eberechi Eze, sending England into the locker room with a commanding 4-0 lead.
The French side emerged transformed after the restart. In what proved to be Didier Deschamps' final game in charge of "Les Bleus," the veteran coach introduced four halftime substitutes, and the changes immediately paid off. Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 48th minute after a pass from Michael Olise, then turned provider six minutes later as substitute Bradley Barcola narrowed the gap to 4-2.
