In a sun‑splashed stadium in Miami, England and France turned a tightly contested final into a 6‑4 shoot‑out that decided the World Cup’s third‑place match, a result that will be remembered for its sheer goal‑fest and dramatic swings.
Milestones and farewells
At the heart of the spectacle was Kylian Mbappe, who struck twice to push his tournament tally to 22 goals, cementing his place as the competition’s all‑time leading scorer and extending his Golden Boot lead over Lionel Messi, who is set to feature in Sunday’s final against Spain.
England’s Bukayo Saka stole the show with a hat‑trick, while midfielders Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa combined with Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele to keep the tempo high, and Jude Bellingham added a creative spark that left fans chanting his name.
For France, the match marked the end of an era as Didier Deschamps oversaw his final game in charge after 14 years, a tenure that produced 185 matches and a legacy of tactical innovation; the defensive reshuffle he attempted after a shambolic opening period could not prevent the high‑scoring finale.
The tournament’s narrative also highlighted emerging talents such as Michael Olise, who set a World Cup record with seven assists, and veteran Pele, whose presence was felt in the ceremonial moments that bookended the competition.
With the final looming in New York’s iconic stadium, the stage is set for a clash that will add another chapter to football’s modern saga, while the world watches how the next generation of stars, from Mbappe to Messi, will shape the sport’s future.