# England edge dramatic third-place playoff against France in Miami

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/england-beats-france-in-instant-classic-to-earn-third-place-at-2026-fifa-world-cup/
- Published: 2026-07-19T13:32:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-19T19:47:14+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/england-wins-thriller-ages-france-claim-third-2026-fifa-world-cup
- Topics: Europe, Football, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- England beat France 2-1 to claim World Cup bronze in Miami
- Bukayo Saka among the scorers in a dramatic finish
- France, pre-tournament favourites, missed out on redemption

## Summary

England beat France 2-1 in a dramatic third-place play-off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Bukayo Saka among the goalscorers. Neither side wanted to be playing the so-called "consolation" fixture after losing their respective semi-finals — France to eventual finalists Spain, and England to reigning champions Argentina — but both had reasons to compete hard, including French star Kylian Mbappé's chance to overtake Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.

England fielded their key attacking duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham from the start, and the win extended England's unbeaten record against France at World Cups. The result secured England the bronze medal and denied France, who had entered the tournament as many pundits' favourites, any late redemption after their semi-final exit.

## Coverage

- [Fox News: England edge dramatic third-place playoff against France in Miami](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/england-wins-thriller-ages-france-claim-third-2026-fifa-world-cup)
- [The Guardian: England beat France in an epic World Cup third-place playoff – in pictures](https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/jul/19/england-beat-france-world-cup-third-place-playoff-best-images-gallery-in-pictures)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.