England Turn Third-Place Playoff into World Cup Blockbuster Against France

• England defeated France 6-4 in a breathtaking 10-goal thriller to claim third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Thomas Tuchel’s side raced into a 4-0 halftime lead before surviving a remarkable French comeback.

• Didier Deschamps’ legendary 14-year reign as France coach ended in defeat, with Zinedine Zidane expected to take over.

July 19, (THEWILL) — England bounced back from semifinal heartbreak in spectacular fashion, overcoming a spirited French fightback to win an unforgettable 6-4 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.

The victory secured the Three Lions their first-ever World Cup bronze medal while ending Didier Deschamps’ remarkable tenure as France manager on a disappointing note.

England responded to the criticism that followed their semifinal defeat to Argentina by producing one of the most explosive first-half performances of the tournament, eventually defeating France 6-4 in a sensational third-place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.

Thomas Tuchel’s men wasted little time asserting themselves, taking the lead in the third minute before adding further goals in the 18th, 37th, and 45th minutes to storm into halftime with a commanding 4-0 advantage.

The performance marked a complete tactical shift from the cautious approach that had drawn widespread criticism after England surrendered a lead against Argentina in the semifinals.

France, however, refused to bow out quietly.

In what proved to be Didier Deschamps’ final match after 14 years in charge of Les Bleus, the French boss made sweeping changes at the interval, and his side responded brilliantly.

Goals in the 48th, 54th, and 66th minutes transformed the contest, reducing the deficit to 4-3 and turning what had looked like a routine victory into one of the tournament’s most dramatic encounters.

With momentum swinging firmly in France’s favour, England found the response they desperately needed.

The Three Lions restored their two-goal cushion in the 87th minute to make it 5-3, but France struck again deep into stoppage time to reignite hopes of an extraordinary comeback at 5-4.

England had the final word, though, scoring once more in the same period of added time to complete an astonishing 6-4 victory in one of the highest-scoring matches in World Cup history.

Statistically, there was little to separate the teams.

England enjoyed 55 percent possession and finished with 18 shots, 10 of them on target, while France also registered 18 attempts and forced nine saves on goal.

Both coaches utilised all five substitutions as fatigue took its toll after a demanding tournament.
The defeat officially ends one of the greatest managerial eras in international football.

Deschamps leaves France after guiding the nation to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title and the 2022 final, with former captain and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed him.

For England, the bronze medal offers a measure of consolation following their painful semifinal exit.

While questions over Tuchel’s tactical decisions remain, the attacking display against France showed the quality that had carried England deep into the competition.

The curtain now falls on the third-place playoff as attention shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where defending Champions Argentina will face Spain for football’s biggest prize.

After a tournament filled with dramatic upsets, late goals, and unforgettable storylines, the race for the trophy promises one final chapter worthy of an extraordinary World Cup.