Saka Hat-Trick Powers England to 6-4 World Cup Third-Place Win Over France
In the World Cup third-place match on July 19, England defeated France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick—becoming the second player after Pelé to achieve this against France in a World Cup. Saka also scored the tournament's 300th goal, though one early goal was disallowed for offside. Arsenal congratulated Saka as "our hat-trick hero." The match featured rapid counterattacks and defensive plays, with Tuchel praised for his lineup decisions.
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Saka: England Should Have Been in World Cup Final, Not Third-Place Match
England's Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in the World Cup third-place match, leading England to a 6-4 victory over France and the bronze medal. Despite the achievement, Saka expressed disappointment that the team believed they should have been in the final instead. He noted that only four English players have scored a World Cup hat-trick before him (Hurst, Lineker, Kane, Saka) and felt proud of the accomplishment. Saka also praised outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel for instilling belief in the players and the nation, saying the team built a deep bond over six to seven weeks. Tuchel told the team he was proud and would miss them, emphasizing the need to carry forward the pride and focus on winning the next tournament. Saka acknowledged this was England's best result in 60 years but said the belief that 'this was our year' made the loss hurt more than previous tournaments.
Lineker: England's World Cup ended well, backing the Three Lions to win Euro 2028
Following England's 6-4 victory over France in the World Cup third-place match, former England striker Gary Lineker stated on his podcast 'Football Talk' that he believes England can win the 2028 European Championship. The match, which Lineker described as highly entertaining and somewhat like a testimonial, secured England's best tournament finish since 1966. A major talking point was Bukayo Saka, who scored a hat-trick after being an unused substitute in the semi-final against Argentina. Co-host Micah Richards questioned manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to bench Saka entirely in the semi-final, while Alan Shearer called the arrangement 'very strange.' Lineker noted Saka averages a goal or assist every 59 minutes, with 3 goals and 3 assists in the tournament. Richards emphasized Saka's value extends beyond scoring, as he draws fouls and drives the team forward.
England Captain Harry Kane Reacts to Third-Place World Cup Finish
The 2026 World Cup third-place match concluded with England defeating France 6-4 in a high-scoring thriller to claim the bronze medal. Following the match, England captain Harry Kane took to social media to express his satisfaction with ending the tournament on a positive note. He specifically congratulated teammate Bukayo Saka for scoring an incredible hat-trick during the match. Kane also thanked all the fans who supported the team both in the stadium and back home in England. He concluded his message by stating that it is now time for the team to rest and take a well-deserved break after their World Cup campaign.
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Has Bukayo Saka Shown Thomas Tuchel He Is Too Good to Leave Out?
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in England's 6-4 World Cup third-place play-off victory over France, reigniting debate over manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave him on the bench in the semi-final loss to Argentina. Saka, managing a persistent Achilles injury, started only three of England's eight matches in the tournament. Tuchel defended his cautious handling, citing Saka's fitness history and the tactical choice to start Morgan Rogers in the semi-final. Saka's hat-trick made him only the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick, after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker, and Harry Kane. England's third-place finish is their best since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Saka's World Cup Hat-Trick Reignites Selection Debate After Tuchel Benches Him in Semi-Final
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick for England in a 6-4 third-place play-off victory over France at the 2026 World Cup, finishing third—England's best result since 1966. The performance reignited debate over manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Saka on the bench as an unused substitute in the semi-final loss to Argentina. Tuchel defended his choice, citing Saka's persistent Achilles injury and careful minutes management throughout the tournament. Saka, who started only three of England's eight matches, acknowledged frustration but said he lets his football do the talking. The hat-trick made Saka only the fourth English player to score a World Cup hat-trick, after Hurst, Lineker, and Kane.
Bukayo Saka makes painful England admission and Euro 2028 vow after World Cup star turn
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in England's third-place World Cup win over France, becoming only the fourth English player to achieve this feat. Despite the personal milestone, Saka admitted he is still devastated by England's semi-final loss to Argentina. He expressed pride in the team's highest finish since 1966 and vowed to use the pain as fuel for Euro 2028. Djed Spence also reflected on the tournament as a 'coming of age' moment for his career, praising the team's mentality.
Saka Scores Hat-Trick, Denies Penalty Controversy in England's World Cup Third-Place Win
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in England's 6-4 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami. After the game, Saka addressed a brief moment where Jude Bellingham approached the penalty spot, clarifying that Bellingham never intended to take the kick and only went there to shield Saka from distractions. Saka confirmed he was always the designated penalty taker. He reflected on the tournament, expressing disappointment at the semifinal loss to Argentina but pride in finishing third, England's best result in 60 years. Saka also addressed criticism of the coach, saying it is part of the game and that the team used it as fuel to finish strong.
England medal gesture spotted, Bukayo Saka walkout, coach fights tears - World Cup round-up
England defeated France 6-4 in a chaotic 10-goal thriller to win the World Cup bronze medal in Miami. Bukayo Saka starred with a first-half hat-trick. During the medal ceremony, teammates Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, and Jordan Henderson called veteran goalkeeper Jason Steele onto the stage after he was initially overlooked. Saka walked out of a BBC interview when the presenter suggested the bronze medal was 'at least' something. Jude Bellingham shared a handwritten poem titled 'The Lion's Way' by team driver Michael Chandler, along with a defiant promise for the future. Assistant manager Anthony Barry fought tears during an emotional half-time interview, praising the squad for playing with 'broken hearts' after their semi-final loss to Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel sets record straight on Bukayo Saka decision after England star speaks out
England manager Thomas Tuchel has clarified his decision to limit Bukayo Saka's playing time during the 2026 World Cup, following the Arsenal winger's hat-trick in the third-place play-off against France. Saka scored three goals in England's 6-4 victory, becoming only the fourth male England player to score a World Cup hat-trick. However, he started just one of England's four knockout matches prior to the France game and did not play in the semi-final loss to Argentina. Tuchel explained that he chose Morgan Rogers for the semi-final due to a feeling about his physicality, and that he managed Saka's minutes carefully due to the player's pre-tournament Achilles injury. Saka admitted he wanted to play more but said he prefers to 'do his talking on the pitch'. Tuchel reaffirmed that Saka remains a key player for England.
Bellingham: Team Deserved Brilliant Finish; Honored to Share Time with Everyone
In the World Cup third-place match, England defeated France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick. After the match, England midfielder Jude Bellingham posted on Instagram, stating that the team deserved to finish with such a brilliant performance. He acknowledged that while winning the tournament was the ultimate goal, achieving the best result since 1966 lays a solid foundation for the future. Bellingham thanked England fans for their support, calling the summer unforgettable and expressing honor at sharing the experience with everyone. The match marked a significant achievement for English football, ending a long drought for a top-three finish in the World Cup.
Truth behind Jude Bellingham 'sacrifice' for Bukayo Saka's hat-trick against France revealed
During the 2026 World Cup third-place match between England and France, Jude Bellingham approached the penalty spot with the ball in the 87th minute, leading fans to believe he would take the kick to chase a World Cup record. However, Bellingham waited until Bukayo Saka arrived, then handed him the ball. Saka later revealed that Bellingham was never going to take the penalty; he was holding the ball to prevent distractions and to wish Saka luck before his hat-trick opportunity. Saka converted the penalty to complete his hat-trick, and Bellingham later scored in stoppage time to become the highest-scoring midfielder in World Cup history. England won the match 6-4, securing the bronze medal in Didier Deschamps' final game as France manager.
Anderson's Instagram: Honored to Go to World Cup with England, Vows to Come Back Stronger
In the World Cup third-place match, England defeated France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick. After the match, England player Elliot Anderson updated his Instagram, posting a photo of himself receiving a bronze medal. He expressed that it was a great honor to participate in his first World Cup with the team. Although the result was not what they hoped for, achieving the best performance in 60 years is still something to be proud of. Anderson stated that the team will come back stronger. The post was shared on Hupu soccer news, with a fan comment praising Anderson as 'our three lions' Kante' and encouraging him to play well at Manchester City.
England Defeats France 6-4 in World Cup Third-Place Match; Saka Scores Hat-Trick
In the World Cup third-place match, England defeated France 6-4, with Saka scoring a hat-trick. According to statistics, this is the first World Cup match since the 4-4 draw between the Soviet Union and Colombia in 1962 where both teams scored at least four goals. It is also the World Cup match with the most goals since Hungary's 10-1 thrashing of El Salvador in 1982. The match was notable for its high-scoring nature and mutual offensive output, described as a 'stabbing each other' contest. The report originates from Hupu, a Chinese sports community, and cites X as the source.
England Official Poster Celebrates Best World Cup Result Outside Home Soil After 6-4 Win Over France
On July 19, in the World Cup third-place match, England defeated France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick. After the match, the England national team's official Twitter account released a poster congratulating the team on achieving their best result in a World Cup held outside their home country. England took a 4-0 lead in the first half, becoming the first team in history to score four goals against France in the first half of a World Cup match. The match was widely covered by Hupu Soccer, a Chinese sports media outlet.
Saka and Rice Become Second Arsenal Duo to Score in Same World Cup Match
In the World Cup third-place match, England defeated France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick. Statistics show that Saka and Declan Rice became the second pair in Arsenal history to both score in the same World Cup match, following Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp, who scored for the Netherlands against South Korea in 1998. Additionally, since 1966, Rice is the only English player to have at least one goal and one assist in a single World Cup knockout match. The match highlights individual achievements within a team victory.
England beats France in World Cup third-place match, fans question Saka's benching
England defeated France 5-3 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The high-scoring game featured 10 total goals, with France's Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to surpass Lionel Messi as the tournament's top scorer (10-8) heading into the final. However, the star of the match was England's Bukayo Saka, who scored a hat-trick after being benched for the semifinal against Argentina. Fans on social media questioned why England manager Thomas Tuchel did not play Saka in the semifinal, where England lost 2-1 after taking an early lead. Saka also received a penalty kick from teammate Jude Bellingham in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick. Saka played only 359 total minutes in the tournament but recorded 3 goals and 3 assists.
The Sun England Ratings: Saka Hat-trick 9/10 Best, Toney/Quansah 5/10 Average Performance
England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff, securing their best World Cup result since 1966. Sun reporter Tom Barclay provided post-match ratings for England players. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick and earned the highest rating of 9/10, praised for being sharp and clinical. Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Djed Spence each received 8/10 for strong performances. Dean Henderson and Marcus Rashford got 7/10. Ivan Toney and Jarell Quansah received the lowest ratings of 5/10, with Toney having a mediocre start and Quansah tormented by Mbappé and Barcola in the second half. Substitutes included Jude Bellingham (8/10) and Ollie Watkins (5/10). The match was described as bizarre, with France collapsing in the first half but fighting back in the second.
Saka: Losing to Argentina Hurts, Will Motivate England in Future Tournaments
Following England's 6-4 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup third-place match, England forward Bukayo Saka spoke to the media. Saka scored a hat-trick, becoming the fourth English player to do so in a World Cup. He acknowledged that the pain of losing to Argentina in the semi-finals remains deep and cannot be eased by this win, but stated it will serve as motivation for future tournaments. Saka emphasized the team's professionalism and cohesion in finishing strong, achieving England's best World Cup result since 1966. He noted the match had less pressure than the semi-final and that a different lineup contributed to the high-scoring performance. Saka also described the second half as chaotic after conceding three goals, but praised the team's recovery to secure the bronze medal.
World Cup: England take third place with 6-4 win against France
England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff, setting a record for the most goals in a third-place match with 10 total goals. The previous record was France's 6-3 victory against West Germany in 1958. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick for England. The match was played on July 19, 2026, and the article was published by The Business Times Singapore.
Konsa: I played almost every match this World Cup, proud of bronze medal finish
England defeated France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place match, securing the bronze medal. After the game, England defender Konsa spoke to ITV, expressing pride in his team's achievement—their best World Cup result in 60 years. Konsa noted he played in almost every match, missing only one, and called scoring a goal a surreal experience. He praised teammates Bukayo Saka (who scored a hat-trick) and Declan Rice (who opened the scoring with a long-range strike) for playing through pain and injuries, highlighting their character and fighting spirit. Konsa said the team stayed together for seven weeks away from family and was happy to end the tournament with a win.