What You Need to Know
• Bukayo Saka scored three goals, leading England to a 6-4 victory over France for third place.
• Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi’s career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals during the tournament.
• The match set a record for the most goals in a World Cup third-place match, totaling ten.
Bukayo Saka, the England forward, scored three goals to propel the team to a 6-4 win against France in the World Cup third-place match held on July 18, 2026. Saka’s goals came in the 37th minute, first-half stoppage time, and a penalty in the 87th minute, marking his second career hat trick with England. The victory secured England’s best World Cup finish since their 1966 title, with additional goals from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa giving them a 4-0 halftime lead. Kylian Mbappé of France scored two goals in the second half, bringing his tournament total to ten and surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous World Cup scoring record with 22 goals.
Why It Matters
This match is significant as it highlights the competitive nature of international football, particularly in the context of the FIFA World Cup. England’s performance marks a resurgence in their footballing prowess, achieving their highest finish in decades. Kylian Mbappé’s record-setting goals further emphasize his status as one of the leading players in the sport today. The high-scoring nature of the match also reflects evolving strategies and offensive play in modern football, making it a memorable event in World Cup history.
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