England have secured their strongest finish in the World Cup since 1966 – beating France in the third place play-off with a 6-4 victory. <\/p>\n
Declan Rice secured an early lead for the Three Lions, scoring after the third minute, and assisted a goal for Ezri Konsa at 18′.<\/p>\n
Bukayo Saka followed up with England’s third goal at 37′, scoring for a second time at 45’+1, putting Thomas Tuchel’s side in a strong position before the half-time whistle. <\/p>\n
England players celebrate after the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Garden. Credit: AP<\/p>\n
Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, who is vying for the Golden Boot, scored France’s first goal of the match in Miami at 48′, followed by Bradley Barcola at 54′. <\/p>\n
Mbapp\u00e9 secured France’s third goal at 66′, putting England’s lead under threat.<\/p>\n
Saka scored his third goal of the match at 87′ after a penalty was awarded, but France fought back again, bringing the score to 5-4 with a goal by Dayot Upamecano at 90’+6.<\/p>\n
France’s Kylian Mbappe scoring his side’s first goal. Credit: AP<\/p>\n
Just when it all appeared to be over England snuck in one last point, with a goal by Jude Bellingham, subbed in on the second half, bringing the final score to 6-4 at 90’+8.<\/p>\n
It is the first time the Three Lions have won a third place play-off, somewhat parking their semi-final agony following Wednesday’s bruising defeat to Argentina<\/a>. <\/p>\n England had lost their two previous third-place play-offs in 1990 against hosts Italy, and in 2018 to Belgium in Russia.<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer praised the England team for their performance on Saturday night<\/p>\n Manager Thomas Tuchel nodded to this when facing a particularly pointed question <\/a>on the eve of the bronze medal game, suggesting that, despite Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final defeat, England still have a chance to do something special. <\/p>\n Asked if it was fair that some of his decisions in the defeat to Argentina were described as cowardly, he said: \u201cNot at all. I don\u2019t receive them.<\/p>\n France goalkeeper Mike Maignan defends the goal against England’s Ollie Watkins. Credit: AP<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t read praise and I don\u2019t believe in praise and I don\u2019t believe in comments like this. If we win the game tomorrow, we have the best result of a World Cup in 60 years. That\u2019s the perspective to it.\u201d<\/p>\n