World Cup Match Report: Saka Hat-Trick Seals 6-4 England Win Over France

WORLD CUP 2026 — Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday, according to The Guardian. The 10-goal contest secured England a bronze medal at the tournament.

The Guardian reported the winger's treble lit up a free-scoring playoff in which both sides traded goals throughout. France, the 2022 runners-up, were edged out in a fixture that produced the highest combined tally of the knockout stage, the newspaper said.

England's podium finish caps a campaign that began with group-stage uncertainty before a run to the last four, where they were eliminated by the eventual finalists, according to the report. France's defeat leaves them without a medal after a tournament in which they were among the pre-tournament favourites.

The result gives England a second World Cup bronze and extends a strong run for European sides at the 2026 finals co-hosted across North America. Attention now turns to Sunday's final to decide the champions.