Essential Football

England bring home bronze in 10 goal thriller against France!

Essential Football

Summary

England secures a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff held in Miami. Bukayo Saka shines with a hat-trick, alongside goals from Declan Rice, Esri Konza, and Jude Bellingham, marking England's best World Cup finish since 1966. Despite a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime, England nearly falters as France rallies back with two goals from Kylian Mbappe, who becomes the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

Post-match reactions reveal mixed emotions among the players, who are still reeling from their semi-final loss to Argentina. Saka's performance is particularly notable, as he overcomes past adversity to score three goals. Meanwhile, Jed Spence earns praise for his defensive efforts against Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham sets a record for the most goals scored by an English player in a World Cup, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star.

Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. Anticipation builds as both teams prepare for a match that promises to be a spectacle, complete with a halftime show and the potential for historic achievements. Messi aims for a second consecutive World Cup title, while Spain seeks to capitalize on their strong tournament performance. The final is poised to be a significant event, showcasing the best of international football.

Show Notes

Hayley McQueen has Sunday's 'Cheat Sheet At The World Cup,' the morning after one of the most remarkable England games in recent memory! The Three Lions beat France 6-4 in Miami to end their 2026 tournament with a third place finish and a bronze medal. Rob Dorsett and James Savundra try and make sense of it all for us! Plus, Kaveh Solhekol looks ahead to tonight's World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain in New York and we hear from a former winner.

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