England secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff, highlighted by Bukayo Saka’s historic hat-trick. Saka became only the second English player to score three goals in a World Cup knockout match, joining Geoff Hurst who achieved the feat 60 years ago in the 1966 final.
Fast Start and Commanding Lead
The match opened aggressively for England as Declan Rice scored in the 3rd minute. Ezri Konsa extended the lead with a goal in the 18th minute, setting an early tone. By the 37th minute, Saka scored his first, putting England firmly ahead.
Just before halftime at 45’+1’, Saka doubled his tally. Entering the break, England held a dominant 4-0 lead, leaving France facing a steep challenge in the second half.
French Comeback and Final Sealing Goal
France responded quickly after the break. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 48th minute, followed by Bradley Barcola’s goal at 54 minutes, narrowing the margin. Mbappé scored again in the 66th minute, bringing France within one goal at 4-3, shifting momentum.
Despite the rally, Saka converted a penalty in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal advantage. The final score stood at 5-3, earning England the third-place finish and firmly placing Saka in the record books alongside Geoff Hurst.
Impact on Sports Markets
The match did not go unnoticed by the sports betting and fan token communities, who closely tracked Saka’s historic performance. Earlier reports noted increased activity in fan token trading after England’s previous 6-4 win over France, reflecting growing market interest linked to national team successes.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
