Edi Umoh
England thrashed France 6-4 in a tension-soaked World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe becomes 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.
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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.
There was still time for Dembele to grab a fourth for France but Bellingham then strode forward to score the 10th goal of the match with an individual effort.
In doing so Bellingham became the first England player to score seven goals at a World Cup.
By finishing third, England secured their best result at a World Cup since winning the tournament in 1966, though they will carry bitter memories of their defeat by defending champions Argentina.
Deschamps led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and finished as runners-up four years ago.
Les Bleus were favourites to win the 2026 tournament after a sensational start but were well-beaten 2-0 by Spain in the semi-finals.
Three-time champions Argentina face European champions Spain in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
AFP
