Played before a packed crowd, the contest delivered goals, attacking football and individual brilliance from both sides. Although neither team reached the final, the playoff carried significant importance as two of the tournament's strongest squads looked to finish their campaigns with a victory.

England took control early by moving the ball quickly through midfield and creating consistent pressure in the attacking third. Saka rewarded that dominance with his first goal before adding two more during the match to complete the first World Cup hat-trick of his international career. His pace, movement and finishing proved too much for the French defence throughout the contest.

The performance also highlighted England's attacking depth, with support from the midfield and wide areas allowing Saka to exploit spaces behind the French backline. The victory provided a positive ending for England after narrowly missing out on a place in the World Cup final.

France, however, continued to threaten whenever Kylian Mbappe was on the ball. The captain once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world's most dangerous forwards by finding the net and adding to his tournament tally. His goal further strengthened his position in the race for the Golden Boot, capping another outstanding individual World Cup campaign despite the disappointing team result.

Mbappe's pace and direct running created several opportunities for France, but England's defence recovered well after conceding and managed to limit further damage during key phases of the match.

The third-place playoff also offered both managers an opportunity to assess squad depth ahead of future international competitions. Several players delivered encouraging performances, while experienced campaigners ensured the game maintained its competitive intensity despite the disappointment of missing the final.

England's success reflected the progress the side has made during the tournament. The team combined defensive discipline with an effective attacking approach, producing several entertaining performances on the way to the semi-finals before falling short against stronger opposition.

For France, the defeat marked a disappointing conclusion to another deep World Cup run. Nevertheless, the squad leaves the tournament with several positives, including Mbappe's exceptional scoring record and the emergence of young players who are expected to remain central to the national team in the coming years.

As attention now shifts to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain, England will take satisfaction from finishing third, while France will look back at missed opportunities despite possessing one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking line-ups.

England's victory ensures they return home with a medal and renewed confidence, whereas France will begin preparations for the next international cycle with the objective of once again challenging for football's biggest prize.