England secured their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966 with a breathtaking 6-4 victory over France in the bronze final in Miami, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick and Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice and substitute Jude Bellingham also on the scoresheet, as reported by Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Miami Stadium.
England came to Miami for a consolation prize and ended up producing one of the most extraordinary World Cup performances in living memory.
The Three Lions demolished France 6-4 in Saturday’s bronze final — their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966 — in a match that had everything: a dominant first half, a breathtaking French fightback, and a finale that had the entire stadium on its feet. Bukayo Saka was the undisputed star, hitting a hat-trick. Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice and substitute Jude Bellingham also scored. For France, Kylian Mbappe netted twice while Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele pulled the scores back to 4-3 before England eventually pulled clear. Standard Sport’s Dom Smith was at Miami Stadium to rate the performances.
Player Ratings
Dean Henderson — 6: Made some good saves to deny Mbappe and Dembele in the first half but conceded four in a chaotic second period where France were as clinical as England had been before the break.
Jarell Quansah — 6: A steady return to the starting line-up. More assured on the ball than he was positionally, and had to go off injured late on.
Ezri Konsa — 7: Had some uncomfortable moments in the second half as France ran riot, but was typically confident in possession and marked the occasion by scoring his first World Cup goal to make it 2-0.
Marc Guéhi — 6: Serviceable on the ball but let France through too easily after the interval as the bronze final turned into a completely different game.
Djed Spence — 8: Another phenomenal shift from the man whose World Cup transformation has been one of the tournament’s great stories. Made plenty of tackles, was positive with the ball and relentlessly carried England up the pitch. His best tournament performance yet.
Declan Rice — 7: Has looked exhausted throughout this tournament but conjured something significant when it mattered — scoring his first World Cup goal to open England’s account, then adding an assist for the second. A captain’s contribution in the first half.
Eberechi Eze — 7: Some lovely dribbles and one excellent through-ball that set up Saka’s second goal. Came close to a fine solo goal of his own before being substituted late on.
Bukayo Saka — 9: The player of the match and then some. Had a first goal disallowed but let nothing distract him — he scored three more, including a composed late penalty that put the result beyond doubt. A hat-trick on the World Cup stage. Extraordinary.
Morgan Rogers — 6: Took up intelligent positions and showed courage carrying the ball forward. But it never quite clicked for the soon-to-be Chelsea man on the biggest stage of his career so far.
Marcus Rashford — 7: Forced a fine save with a powerful long-range effort and produced the assist for Saka’s first counted goal. Subbed at half-time with England already in command.
Ivan Toney — 5: Some tidy distribution out wide and one headed opportunity, but never truly imposed himself on the game. The quietest of England’s attacking options on the day.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins (46′ for Rashford) — 5: Came on to stretch France’s defence but was dispossessed in the build-up to France’s first goal. Improved as the second half wore on without making the desired impact.
Elliot Anderson (79′ for Eze) — 6: Introduced to stabilise a midfield that was being overrun and did precisely that. Unfussy and effective.
Jude Bellingham (79′ for Toney) — 7: Overran the ball with one attack but immediately made amends — selflessly squaring for Saka to win and convert the penalty, then capping England’s remarkable evening with a truly stunning sixth goal. The perfect cameo.
Reece James (83′ for Quansah) — N/A
Trevoh Chalobah (90+3′ for Guéhi) — N/A
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