Excitement. Bravery. Free-flowing football. Where was that against Argentina?
England finally showcased how deadly they can be as they beat France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place-off in one of the greatest World Cup games in living memory.
The Three Lions suffered a heart-breaking semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday – ensuring 60 years of hurt will go on.
But they have made sure they have finished the World Cup on a high after picking up a bronze medal in what represents their best showing since lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966.
Three Lions roaring
Having been criticised for his negative approach against Argentina, Thomas Tuchel made seven changes to his team in Miami on Saturday, and boy did they put on a show – well for the first half anyway…
For the first time in World Cup history, France have conceded six goals – having last conceded five when they lost 5-2 to Brazil in 1958.
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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice – wearing the captain’s armband with Harry Kane dropped to the bench – broke the deadlock in just the third minute with a sumptuous strike from range.
He then turned provider for Ezri Konsa in the 18th minute, with the Aston Villa defender – linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium – heading home from a corner.
It was then Bukayo Saka’s turn to get in on the act, as he fired home twice before the break to put England in dreamland – with fans left wondering why we haven’t seen a display like this in North America.
France’s nightmare first half was laid bare in a damning stat, with it being the first time they have shipped in four goals since a European Championship qualification match against Yugoslavia in April 1968.
But what followed was a complete reversal in halves, as France dominated the second period, with Kylian Mbappe immediately pulling a goal back after the break for his ninth goal of the tournament – putting him one clear of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Bradley Barcola then halved the deficit in the 54th minute, with England proceeding to look rattled every time France went forward.
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Michael Olise soon spurned a chance for France, before Ousmane Dembele and Dayot Upamecano forced Dean Henderson into action.
But England couldn’t keep France at bay for much longer, with Mbappe grabbing his second of the match in the 66th minute – becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer [22] in the process at Messi’s expense.
Despite England hanging on, they were then awarded a penalty after Malo Gusto wiped out Djed Spence, with Saka duly converting from the spot in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick.
In doing so, he has become just the fourth Englishman to bang in a World Cup treble after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Kane.
The drama wasn’t done there as Dembele then closed the gap once again to a one-goal margin in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
And just when you thought that was it, Jude Bellingham restored England’s two-goal lead with the last kick of the game for his seventh goal of the tournament – the most by any England player in a single World Cup.
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In what was a true spectacle for fans, the ten goals from the match is the most of any World Cup third-place game in history.
Here, legendary talkSPORT broadcaster Adrian Durham rated and slated England’s XI from their thrilling – and nervous – victory.
The Rice is (almost) right
Rice finally put in a performance that fans have been so accustomed to watching in the 2025/26 season, where he was instrumental in the Gunners ending their 22-year wait for Premier League glory.
The 27-year-old has become the first England player since David Beckham in 2002 to register two assists from corners at the same World Cup.
Meanwhile, his opener is the earlier England have scored in a competitive match since Luke Shaw smashed home in the second minute in the delayed Euro 2020 final against Italy.
But following a below-par second half showing, Durham could only award him a 6/10, as he simply said: “Great first half, awful second half.”
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Buk to the future
Having been dropped for the quarter-final win over Norway, before being an unused substitute against Argentina, Saka showed England – and Tuchel – what he is capable of.
The Gunners forward brought up his fourth, fifth and sixth World Cup goals across two editions.
Incredibly, only Kane [14], Lineker [ten] and Jude Bellingham [eight] have scored more for England.
Saka’s dazzling display is even more impressive considering the Hale end graduate has battled fitness issues throughout the tournament.
Given a 9/10 by Durham, he remarked: “Hat-trick including a cool penalty. Where was he for the semi?”
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Bell of a player
Despite coming off the bench, there was time for Bellingham to make an impact, and then some.
With seven goals at the World Cup, he has written himself in England’s history books.
And he has also scored the most goals by a midfielder in a single World Cup.
England’s standout performer in North America, Bellingham was given an 8/10 rating by Durham.
Commenting on the Real Madrid maestro, he remarked: “Brief, but wow – what a goal!”
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Tuch and go
It was a true game of two halves, showing what England can be under Thomas Tuchel in the first period, and everything wrong with them in the second.
The difference in performances before and after the break saw Tuchel given a 5/10 by Durham.
He said: “Five for the first half.”
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