It's the game that no one ever wants to play in, but there was still a lot on the line for both England and France in the third-place match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.Both teams hit the pitch at Miami Stadium (also known as Hard Rock Stadium) after some tough semifinal losses: France to Spain, and England to reigning champs Argentina.France was looking for redemption after coming up short in a tournament where they were widely viewed to be the favorite.Plus, this match presented an opportunity for French star Kylian Mbappe to overtake Argentina's Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONEEngland's Bukayo Saka scores during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Medal Match.
(Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)However, they were up against an England team that had played well throughout the tournament and was 2-1 against them in World Cup matches.Their two most offensively potent players this tournament, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both started the match on the bench.Well, in the early going, it turns out that England had enough offensive firepower to get things started.In just the 3rd minute, Declan Rice hit paydirt to open the scoring.Only about ten minutes later, England put another one in the back of the net; however, it was deemed to have been offside.But even with the big guns sitting on the bench, England was easily the more offensively productive team early, with Ezri Konsa adding another off of a corner in the 18th minute.But why not make it three?In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka scored a goal that was certainly not how the Three Lions would've drawn it up, but it counts just the same.And while you're at it, Mr.
Saka, just tack on another for good measure.FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCEEngland took a 4-0 lead into halftime after one of the most lopsided first halves of the tournament, and few expected France to be on the receiving end, especially with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham ...