England Beat France 6-4 in World Cup Third-Place Playoff; Saka Scores Hat-Trick

**Match Score (verified):** England 6-4 France

LONDON — Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England beat France 6-4 in the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday, according to The Guardian.

The contest produced ten goals in an end-to-end decider for third place at the 2026 finals, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Saka's three strikes anchored England's attacking display, while France replied with four of their own in a high-scoring thriller, the report said.

The victory secures England a podium finish at the expanded 48-team tournament. France, runners-up at the 2022 finals, leave the competition without a medal. England had been eliminated from title contention earlier in the week, the same report noted.

The result carries global interest beyond Europe, given the tournament's first 48-nation format and record viewership across Africa, Asia and the Americas. Attention now turns to Sunday's World Cup final, the closing fixture of the 2026 edition.

**Sources** - https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxOYVh3MVh1TFEyX2xmczJKWVowR0o3QUxrZzByWFZsMUhQVzFVVUc2cUx2M0J5YUtnRkNpblhCMF9sOUdOWGozcHFZXzBQeW01d25DS2c4MXhFTWpsQ3BBQ3NqNlRHSXBYOU1SNk14UE9JczVnU0xTdWtIMk10R0dTbFA4aFRENGFSQTVsTDVTWFNHM0VZb3liT3RRdVE0WEZNOUVEZk9EQmlIUQ?oc=5

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