Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 [1] victory over France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match.
The result secures a bronze medal for England, marking a high point in a tournament that ended without a championship trophy. The performance highlights Saka's individual capability despite his limited role in previous stages of the competition.
The match took place July 18 [2] at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida [3]. Saka's hat-trick [4] was the centerpiece of a high-scoring affair that saw England outperform France in the final standings of the tournament.
Following the match, Saka reflected on his contribution to the national team's journey. He expressed a desire to have played a more significant part in the team's progression throughout the event.
"I would have loved to," Saka said [5] when discussing the possibility of contributing more to the squad before the final stages.
Despite the missed opportunities earlier in the tournament, Saka expressed pride in the collective effort of the English squad. The victory over France provided a positive conclusion to the team's campaign in the U.S.
"We gave it everything and I'm proud of the team," Saka said [6].
The win ensures England leaves the tournament with a podium finish, though the focus for the player and coaching staff remains on the missed opportunity for a gold medal.
“"We gave it everything and I'm proud of the team"”
Saka's dominant performance in the third-place match creates a complicated narrative for England's tactical approach during the 2026 World Cup. While the bronze medal is a tangible achievement, the fact that one of the team's most potent attackers felt underutilized suggests a potential disconnect between the coaching strategy and the squad's available talent.
