By Toby TAIWO
The goals were not expected, but that’s what happen when England and France played for the lesser spot- the bronze medal.
With ten goals scored, Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe scored to take his stake for Golden Boot higher than Messi.
Mbappe also became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Both teams had higher aspirations at the 2026 tournament but suffered painful semi-final exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.
Both coaches made multiple changes for the match in the oppressive heat of Miami, with a host of stars on the bench at the start.
England boss Thomas Tuchel left out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham from his starting line-up while Deschamps, stepping down after 14 years at the helm, omitted Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice put England ahead with a goal from distance in the third minute and Ezri Konsa headed home to make it 2-0.
Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise were a threat as France searched for a way back into the game but they found England’s second-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson in top form.
The game threatened to become embarrassing for France when Bukayo Saka made it 3-0 after a swift break.
And it was 4-0 in first-half stoppage time when Saka scored his second goal of the game, celebrated with a fist pump by Tuchel.
France coach Didier Deschamps told French TV channel M6 that the first-half display had been “catastrophic”, urging his men to show pride.
He made four changes, bringing on Dembele, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne and Barcola and was rewarded almost instantly when Mbappe scored his ninth goal of the tournament to move clear of Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
The game had now totally changed complexion and Barcola pulled another goal back, with Deschamps clenching his fist on the bench.
Mbappe then netted his second of the game to become the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 22 goals — slotting home from Olise’s pass.
That put him two ahead of Messi in the race to finish as top scorer at the 2026 tournament.
France squandered a number of chances to equalise and England were handed a chance to extend their lead when Malo Gusto brought down Djed Spence in the penalty area.
Saka stepped up to the spot and converted to complete his hat-trick.
