England claimed their best World Cup finish on foreign soil since 1966 with a thrilling 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off last Friday. The Three Lions raced into a 4-0 half-time lead before Kylian Mbappe’s double pulled France back into the game. But Bukayo Saka’s late penalty completed his hat-trick as Jude Bellingham added England’s sixth goal in a wild second half.
What happened in New Jersey?
England dominated the opening exchanges at MetLife Stadium, with Michael Olise setting up two goals before the break. Mbappe’s 21st and 22nd World Cup strikes moved him past Lionel Messi into outright top scorer in World Cup history. His brace also put him level with Harry Kane on 10 goals for the tournament, though Kane’s injury ruled him out of this clash. Saka’s 87th-minute penalty, his third of the game, sealed the win and ensured England’s bronze medal was etched in gold.
The match was played just two days after England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina. Gareth Southgate’s side responded with a performance that matched their best of the tournament. Their recent form now stands at four wins, one loss in their last five games, with this result extending their two-game winning run.
Why this bronze medal matters for England
This third-place finish marks England’s highest-ever World Cup result on foreign soil. Their previous best came in 1966 when they won the trophy on home soil. The bronze medal ends a 60-year wait for a podium finish away from home and provides a morale boost ahead of the Nations League campaign in seven weeks.
Southgate’s side showed resilience after their semi-final heartbreak. The win also highlighted the depth of talent in the squad, with Olise and Saka stepping up when it mattered most. The performance will ease some of the pressure on Southgate, who faced criticism after the Argentina defeat.
Tuchel’s mixed emotions after France’s defeat
Thomas Tuchel admitted the pain of defeat would stay with him and his players. Speaking after the match, he said: “It’s the first medal since 1966 and on foreign soil. We almost don’t allow ourselves to be proud of ourselves because we set the highest goal to make it to the final and win the World Cup. It’s very very painful to miss out. It’ll go away but the scar will stay.”
Tuchel also addressed the criticism he faced after Wednesday’s semi-final. He accepted responsibility for the defeat but insisted the team had built more than they lost in 30 minutes. England’s bronze now gives them a morale-boosting finish to a tournament that saw them push Argentina all the way in the semi-finals.
What comes next for England?
England’s next competitive fixture comes on September 26 at home to Spain in the Nations League. The bronze medal should give Southgate’s side confidence ahead of that clash. Tuchel’s France will also regroup for the Nations League in eight weeks, with both managers needing to rebuild trust with their fans.
Last result: France 4-6 England (2026-07-18). Recent form (last 5): 4W-0D-1L (WWLWW, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. Next fixture: vs Spain (at home, 2026-09-26).
