Miami: England beat France 6-4 for World Cup bronze
PUBLISHED Jul 18, 2026, 11:06 PM ET
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MIAMI GARDENS, Florida, July 18, 2026 – England defeated France 6-4 in a ten-goal FIFA World Cup bronze medal match at Miami Stadium, securing third place at the 2026 tournament. The result delivered England’s best World Cup finish since their 1966 title on home soil and capped a high-intensity contest that will rank among the most high-scoring games in World Cup history. Managed by Thomas Tuchel, England established immediate control when midfielder Declan Rice opened the scoring after just three minutes with a powerful long-range strike that beat French goalkeeper Mike Maignan and set the tone for a dominant first half. England doubled their advantage in the 18th minute as defender Ezri Konsa headed in a Rice corner, before winger Bukayo Saka added two quick-fire goals, scoring in the 37th minute and again in first-half stoppage time to send England into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead. France responded after halftime with an aggressive fightback, aided by tactical changes from head coach Didier Deschamps, and reduced the deficit in a second half that produced six goals between the teams. The match also marked the final game of Deschamps’ 14-year tenure in charge of France, while French forward Kylian Mbappé became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, underlining the game’s wider significance beyond the bronze medal outcome.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 1966 England win World Cup on home soil
- 2012 Didier Deschamps appointed France head coach
- 2018 Deschamps leads France to World Cup title
- 2022 Mbappé moves closer to scoring record
- July 18, 2026 England face France for bronze
- July 18, 2026 England surge to 4-0 halftime lead
- July 18, 2026 France rally; Mbappé breaks scoring record
- July 18, 2026 Final whistle ends Deschamps’ 14-year tenure
News Intelligence
- This game was a historic moment for soccer fans. England's best finish since
- 1
- 9
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- France's coach ending a 14-year tenure. And a new World Cup scoring record. If you're a soccer enthusiast, this was a match to remember. Check out the highlights if you missed it.
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