Thomas Tuchel has led England to a historic third-place finish at the World Cup, defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling match. The victory marks England's first World Cup medal in 60 years and their first on foreign soil.
England's Dominant First Half
England raced into a 4-0 lead at half-time thanks to goals from Declan Rice – the stand-in captain – Ezri Konsa, and two from Bukayo Saka. The team's attacking prowess was on full display, leaving France stunned.
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France's Second-Half Comeback
Didier Deschamps, taking charge of his final France game after 14 years, rang the changes at the break. Kylian Mbappé took his tally at this tournament to 10 goals and 22 at World Cups in total, surpassing Lionel Messi's all-time record. Mbappé pushed to win a second successive Golden Boot as France pegged England back to within one goal.
Saka's Hat-Trick and Bellingham's Final Say
Saka completed his hat-trick before Ousmane Dembélé made it 5-4 in injury-time. It was left to Jude Bellingham to have the final say after coming off the bench with his seventh goal of the tournament – the most by an England player at a World Cup.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | England | France |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 6 | 4 |
| Possession (%) | 48 | 52 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 7 |
| Corners | 5 | 6 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
Tuchel's Reaction and Future Challenges
Tuchel, who was booed by some supporters when his name was read out before kick-off, said in the buildup that England had to show they were capable of cutting the gap to the leading nations. After hanging on for the win, he has challenged his players to keep improving, starting with their Nations League meeting with Spain at Wembley on 26 September.
“This game will help us for sure – even if you can never fully celebrate a bronze medal,” Tuchel said. “It’s the first [World Cup] medal for 60 years, first [at a] World Cup on foreign soil, and I hope the players can be proud of that at some point. We set ourselves the highest dream to chase, and we were very, very ambitious with our dream to make the final in the World Cup. So it’s very, very painful if you miss.”
Key Takeaways
- England secured third place at the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
- Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in the 6-4 victory over France.
- Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup goal record.
- Jude Bellingham set a new England record for most goals at a single World Cup.
- Thomas Tuchel challenges his squad to keep improving ahead of Spain clash.
FAQ
Who scored for England in the third-place match?
Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Bukayo Saka (hat-trick), and Jude Bellingham scored for England in their 6-4 win over France.
What record did Kylian Mbappé break in this match?
Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup goal record, reaching 22 goals at the tournament.
What did Thomas Tuchel say after the match?
Tuchel said England's players can be proud of their efforts but must keep improving, as they set their sights on the Nations League match against Spain.
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