England nearly blew a four-goal lead against France as Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick gave the Three Lions a remarkable 6-4 bronze medal win in Miami to achieve their best World Cup finish since 1966. <p>England were incredibly 4-0 up at half-time through Declan Rice's opener, Ezri Konsa's header and Saka's double as Thomas Tuchel's side took advantage of a disinterested France.</p><p>But the two-time World Cup winners woke up in the second half to threaten a sensational comeback through Kylian Mbappe's double – which saw him become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer (22 goals) – and substitute Bradley Barcola's strike.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/france-vs-england/live/549868"><strong>As it happened</strong></a> | <strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/france-vs-england/teams/549868">Teams</a> </strong>| <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/france-vs-england/stats/549868"><strong>Stats</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/WCfollow" target="_blank">Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App</a></strong></li></ul><widget id="12"></widget><p>Michael Olise missed two glorious chances to equalise before Djed Spence won a late penalty from Malo Gusto's challenge, allowing Saka to score from the spot to complete his hat-trick in the 87th minute.</p><p>Yet there was still more drama to come as substitute Ousmane Dembele scored a 96th-minute goal to give France hope of avoiding defeat in Didier Deschamps' last game in charge.</p><p>But two minutes later, substitute Jude Bellingham struck with the 10th goal of the game to set the record for the most goals by an England player at a World Cup with seven.</p><p>England's goal-laden display and Saka's performance will only add further frustration and regret over Wednesday's semi-final loss to Argentina, where the Arsenal winger was an unused substitute.</p><p>Tuchel's name was booed by England fans before kick-off, but England's smiles at full-time will give the German hope he can lead them to glory <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13468517/euro-2028-dates-venues-host-cities-format-and-schedule-for-united-kingdom-and-republic-of-ireland-tournament">at their home Euros in 2028,</a> where France are set to be led by Zinedine Zidane.</p><h3>'The most ridiculous game ever'</h3> <widget id="8"></widget><p><em>Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett in Miami:</em></p><p>"Who said these bronze medal matches were a waste of time? That was one of the most ridiculous, exciting, open and thrilling games I can ever remember for an England team.</p><p>"Of course, there was a huge sense of unreality about it, with 10 goals in a game that looked dead at half-time when England had a 4-0 lead.</p><p>"When France started coming back in the second half, there was panic in the England ranks and a sinking feeling, just three days after the lowest of the lows. But credit England's resilience once more and their sheer guts; they ground this one out when the muscle memory must have been saying terrible things to them.</p><p>"Mbappe and Olise were running riot by then. But even those two were eclipsed by Saka.</p><p>"The Arsenal man becomes only the fourth Englishman ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, and England scored six! That they conceded four, we can discuss another day. Thomas Tuchel didn't park the bus, and it led to a glorious basketball game.</p><p>"It is an extraordinary way for England to end their World Cup, one now with the highest finish since 1966.</p><p>"Of course, it will anger many – rightly – that Saka and Marcus Rashford were outstanding against France when they were ignored in the semi-final. Of course, the damnation of Tuchel's tactics when it really mattered still stands.</p><p>"But let's just enjoy this one, eh? It was a fantastic, rollercoaster ride, where England just about managed to stay in their seats as we looped-the-loop."</p><h3><strong>Player ratings…</strong></h3> <widget id="9"></widget> <widget id="11"></widget>
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