It was a bronze thriller
England beat France 6-4 in a World Cup third place playoff in a match that will go down as one of the most spectacular World Cup games of all time.
France started poorly, trailing a dramatic 4-0 at halftime, after goals from Declan Rice (3), Konsa (18), and Saka (37, 45+1).
Unsettling Les Bleus, Rice set the tone for the match early on, scoring a curler from distance in the third minute before assisting Konsa’s header from a corner soon afterwards.
Tuchel’s side started the second half with a 4-0 lead but France showed their quality in the second half staging a brilliant comeback.
The fightback
Mbappe scored their first in the 48th minute before assisting Barcola before the hour as Les Bleus halved the deficit and left England looking less sure.
The France captain then netted again to become the leading scorer in World Cup history (22 goals with 10 at this tournament), at least until Lionel Messi takes to the field for Sunday’s final.
Just as France looked to be building towards a equalizer, Gusto fouled Spence in the box at the other end, and Saka sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
There was still time for more drama, as Dembele scored in the 96th minute before Bellingham ensured victory for the Three Lions in the 98th with a stunning solo goal.
It was the highest-scoring World Cup match in 44 years. French coach Didier Deschamps signed off after the match after 14 years in the spot.
Now all eyes turn to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain and Argentina go head-to-head in the final showdown at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It’s the reigning European champions against the defending Copa América winners, the first final to pit two champions.
