LIVE UPDATES: France 4-6 England World Cup 2026 third-place match – Follow all the action, goals and celebrations

England are #FIFAWorldCup Bronze Final winners 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 18, 2026

90+6′ – GOAL! France 4-5 England | Ousmane Dembele

France are not giving up! Ousmane Dembele finds the back of the net in stoppage time to set up a dramatic finish. England’s lead is now reduced to just one goal as Les Bleus continue pushing for a sensational comeback.

90+6′ – Spence Continues After Treatment

Djed Spence picks up a minor injury, but the England defender appears fit enough to remain on the pitch.

90+4′ – Spence Receives Medical Attention

Play is stopped as Djed Spence requires treatment from the medical team.

90+4′ – Olise Denied by Defender

Michael Olise races towards goal, but an excellent recovery challenge from an England defender prevents him from getting a shot away.

90+3′ – Rabiot Penalised

Adrien Rabiot commits a strong challenge and referee Jesus Valenzuela awards England a free-kick.

90+2′ – Mbappe Caught Offside

France’s hopes of another late attack are halted as Kylian Mbappe is flagged offside.

90+1′ – France Work a Short Corner

France choose to take the corner short, playing the ball to a nearby teammate as they continue searching for another goal.

90+1′ – Gusto Forced Off

Malo Gusto is unable to continue due to his injury and is replaced by Jules Kounde.

90+1′ – Barcola’s Shot Blocked

France come close again! Bradley Barcola controls the ball brilliantly on the edge of the box before firing towards goal, but his effort is accidentally blocked by an England defender and cleared. France win a corner.

90′ – Seven Minutes Added

The fourth official indicates seven minutes of stoppage time as France continue their push for another late goal.

87′ – GOAL! France 3-5 England | Bukayo Saka (Penalty)

England restore their two-goal advantage! Bukayo Saka steps up from the spot and shows great composure, sending an unstoppable penalty into the bottom-right corner beyond Mike Maignan.

86′ – Saka Steps Up for the Penalty

Bukayo Saka takes responsibility for the penalty and prepares himself for the spot-kick.

85′ – PENALTY TO ENGLAND!

England are awarded a penalty after Malo Gusto brings down an opponent with a strong challenge inside the box. Referee Jesus Valenzuela has no hesitation in pointing to the spot despite protests from the French players.

84′ – Henderson Denies Mbappe Again

Kylian Mbappe finds space after a neat pass and unleashes a powerful low strike from distance, but Dean Henderson makes another excellent save to keep England ahead.

82′ – Quansah Receives Treatment

Play is temporarily stopped as Jarell Quansah goes down with an injury. The England defender receives attention from the medical team.

81′ – Olise Goes Close

France come inches away from an equaliser. Ousmane Dembele finds Michael Olise inside the box, but his powerful strike flashes narrowly wide of the right post.

80′ – Maignan Denies Bellingham

Jude Bellingham produces a brilliant solo run and reaches the goalkeeper, but his low effort towards the middle of the goal is well read by Mike Maignan, who makes the save.

79′ – England Make Two Changes

Thomas Tuchel makes further changes as:

• Jude Bellingham replaces Eberechi Eze.
• Elliot Anderson comes on for Ivan Toney.

79′ – Mbappe’s Shot Blocked on the Line

France nearly complete the comeback as Kylian Mbappe fires a shot inside the box after a clever pass, but an England defender makes a crucial goal-line block.

78′ – Dembele’s Free-Kick Cleared

Ousmane Dembele takes the free-kick for France, but England clear the danger.

78′ – Watkins Penalised

Ollie Watkins commits a reckless challenge while trying to win possession, giving France a free-kick.

76′ – Penalty Appeal Rejected

France appeal for a penalty after Kylian Mbappe goes down under a challenge inside the box, but referee Jesus Valenzuela waves play on.

75′ – Olise Misses Huge Chance

A golden opportunity goes begging for France. Michael Olise controls a low pass in a promising position but sends his effort well wide of the left post.

73′ – Upamecano Penalised

Dayot Upamecano brings down an England player and concedes a free-kick.

73′ – Olise Commits a Foul

Michael Olise is penalised for a rough challenge.

72′ – Rabiot Booked for Strong Challenge

Adrien Rabiot commits an aggressive challenge and referee Jesus Valenzuela stops play for a foul.

68′ – Cooling Break

The referee temporarily halts play for the second cooling break, allowing both teams to rehydrate after a frantic spell of action.

68′ – Mbappe Goes Agonisingly Close

France nearly pull level as Kylian Mbappe meets a lofted pass inside the box, but his powerful effort flashes just wide of the left post.

66′ – GOAL! France 3-4 England | Kylian Mbappe

France are right back in the contest. Michael Olise brilliantly picks out Kylian Mbappe, who keeps his composure before drilling a low finish into the bottom-right corner beyond Dean Henderson to score his second of the match and cut England’s lead to 4-3.

65′ – Henderson Denies Upamecano

England goalkeeper Dean Henderson produces another outstanding save, diving low to keep out Dayot Upamecano’s powerful long-range effort.

63′ – France Cut Out Eze’s Pass

England look to launch another attack, but Eberechi Eze’s forward pass is intercepted by the French defence.

61′ – Olise Inches Away

France come close to a third goal as Michael Olise strikes from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort whistles just wide of the left post.

59′ – Toney’s Header Saved

England threaten from a corner as Ivan Toney rises highest, but his header is straight at Mike Maignan, who makes a comfortable save.

59′ – Rice Takes the Corner

Declan Rice steps over to deliver England’s corner.

59′ – England Win a Corner

Eberechi Eze’s attempted pass into the box is blocked behind by the French defence, giving England another corner.

58′ – Barcola Penalised

Bradley Barcola wins the ball back but is adjudged to have committed a foul, much to his frustration.

57′ – Henderson Denies Dembele

Ousmane Dembele latches onto a loose ball inside the penalty area and unleashes a powerful effort, but Dean Henderson is well positioned to make the save.

57′ – Maignan Claims Rice’s Free-Kick

Declan Rice delivers a dangerous free-kick into the box, but Mike Maignan comes off his line confidently to claim the cross.

56′ – England Awarded a Free-Kick

Bradley Barcola is penalised for a foul, handing England a free-kick in a crossing position.

54′ – GOAL! France 2-4 England | Bradley Barcola

France have a second goal and the comeback hopes are alive. Kylian Mbappe is the architect, driving forward before squaring a perfect pass to Bradley Barcola, who fires a superb finish beyond Dean Henderson into the left side of the net to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

54′ – Eze Fires Wide

England respond immediately through Eberechi Eze, who creates space for a long-range effort, but his shot drifts comfortably wide of the left post.

54′ – Dembele Move Cleared

Ousmane Dembele attempts to play the ball through the England defence, but the Three Lions react quickly to clear the danger.

51′ – Rabiot Fires Wide

France continue to push forward as Adrien Rabiot meets the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but his first-time volley sails a couple of yards wide of the left post.

51′ – Olise’s Dribble Halted

Michael Olise attempts to weave his way past an England defender, but the ball is cleared before he can create another opening.

50′ – Watkins Misses the Target

England nearly restore their four-goal cushion as Ollie Watkins finds space inside the box, but his shot flies well wide of the right post.

48′ – GOAL! France 1-4 England | Kylian Mbappe

France pull one back early in the second half. Michael Olise threads a brilliant through ball into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who races clear before calmly slotting a close-range finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 4-1.

46′ – Second Half Underway

The second half is underway as referee Jesus Valenzuela restarts play, with France facing a huge task after a disastrous opening 45 minutes.

46′ – England Make One Change

England boss Thomas Tuchel introduces Ollie Watkins for Marcus Rashford at the start of the second half.

46′ – France Ring the Changes

Didier Deschamps makes four half-time substitutions in an attempt to spark a comeback:

• Dayot Upamecano replaces Ibrahima Konate.
• Lucas Digne comes on for Theo Hernandez.
• Bradley Barcola replaces Desire Doue.
• Ousmane Dembele takes the place of Rayan Cherki.

45+5′ – Half-Time: France 0-4 England

The referee brings an end to a one-sided first half, with England producing a dominant display to take a commanding 4-0 lead into the break thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a Bukayo Saka brace.

45+1′ – GOAL! France 0-4 England | Bukayo Saka

England add a fourth just before half-time and it is Bukayo Saka again. The Arsenal winger controls Eberechi Eze’s pass superbly before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the box into the bottom-right corner, leaving Mike Maignan with no chance.

45′ – Four Minutes Added

The fourth official indicates there will be four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

44′ – France Move Breaks Down

Malo Gusto attempts to pick out a teammate, but his pass runs harmlessly into open space and England regain possession.

43′ – Toney’s Through Ball Cut Out

Ivan Toney looks to release a teammate with a clever through pass, but France intercept before it reaches its target.

43′ – England Dictate Play

England continue to dominate possession, patiently moving the ball around and frustrating the French side.

42′ – Rashford’s Pass Goes Astray

Marcus Rashford attempts to find a teammate in the final third, but his pass lacks accuracy.

40′ – Konsa Penalised

England defender Ezri Konsa is penalised for dangerous play, giving France a free-kick.

40′ – Maignan Claims Rashford’s Cross

Marcus Rashford whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Mike Maignan comes off his line to collect comfortably.

37′ – GOAL! France 0-3 England | Bukayo Saka

England are in complete control. Bukayo Saka caps off a brilliant attacking move by calmly slotting the ball past Mike Maignan to give the Three Lions a commanding 3-0 lead.

37′ – Cherki’s Cross Cut Out

France try to respond immediately through Rayan Cherki, but his cross into the box is intercepted by an England defender.

36′ – Saka Threatens Again

Bukayo Saka bursts into the penalty area with another dangerous run, but France prevent him from getting a shot away.

35′ – Mbappe Denied by Henderson

Kylian Mbappe races onto a clever pass inside the box and aims for the right side of goal, but Dean Henderson makes another excellent save before France earn a corner.

35′ – France Take a Short Corner

Michael Olise opts for a short corner as France continue searching for a breakthrough.

34′ – Rashford Tests Maignan

Marcus Rashford drives a shot towards the middle of the goal, but Mike Maignan gathers comfortably.

32′ – Doue Penalised

France’s Desire Doue is penalised after a late challenge by referee Jesus Valenzuela.

31′ – Mbappe Stopped

Kylian Mbappe dribbles past several defenders before England eventually dispossess him.

30′ – England Cut Out Olise Pass

Michael Olise attempts to thread a forward pass, but England read the danger and intercept.

28′ – Mbappe Caught Offside

France’s captain Kylian Mbappe is flagged offside after making a run behind the England defence.

23′ – Cooling Break

The referee pauses play for the first cooling break of the afternoon, giving both teams a chance to regroup.

23′ – Mbappe Goes Close

Kylian Mbappe tries his luck from long range after receiving a pass, but his powerful effort whistles just wide of the right post.

21′ – Konate Penalised

France defender Ibrahima Konate is penalised for a strong challenge, handing England a free-kick.

20′ – Eze Commits a Foul

England’s Eberechi Eze is whistled for a late challenge as France regain possession.

18′ – GOAL! France 0-2 England | Ezri Konsa

England double their advantage from a corner. Declan Rice delivers an excellent cross into the box and Ezri Konsa powers a header into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0 for the Three Lions.

18′ – Saka Wins a Corner

Bukayo Saka creates danger inside the penalty area, but his goal-bound effort is blocked behind for an England corner.

16′ – Possession Evenly Split

The contest remains finely balanced in terms of possession, with France edging it slightly at 51% to England’s 49%.

15′ – France Take a Short Corner

France opt for a short corner routine as they search for a way back into the game.

15′ – Mbappe Creates Danger

Mbappe attempts to pick out a teammate with a dangerous pass into the penalty area, but England clear the danger behind for a corner.

12′ – Saka’s Goal Ruled Out for Offside

England thought they had doubled their lead through Bukayo Saka, but the celebrations are cut short as the goal is ruled out for offside.

11′ – Henderson Denies Cherki

France come close to an equaliser as Rayan Cherki pounces on a loose ball outside the box, but Dean Henderson reacts brilliantly to keep out his powerful effort.

10′ – England’s Free-Kick Cleared

Declan Rice swings in the resulting free-kick, but the French defence deal with the danger comfortably.

9′ – England Win a Free-Kick

Malo Gusto brings down his opponent, giving England a free-kick in a promising position.

8′ – Eze Misses Golden Chance

A huge opportunity goes begging for England. Eberechi Eze receives a pass inside the penalty area but hesitates before shooting, allowing a defender to make a crucial block.

8′ – Rice’s Corner Overhit

Declan Rice’s corner delivery has too much pace and sails beyond his teammates.

7′ – England Continue to Press

Marcus Rashford meets a cross inside the box, but his close-range effort is blocked behind for a corner.

6′ – Mbappe Threatens

Kylian Mbappe finds space inside the England penalty area, but his shot is brilliantly blocked by a defender.

5′ – France Enjoy Possession

France patiently exchange passes as they search for an opening in England’s defence.

A captain's contribution ©️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/PWFZZsuEnC

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 18, 2026

3′ – GOAL! France 0-1 England | Declan Rice

England take an early lead through Declan Rice, who unleashes a superb long-range strike that flies into the bottom-right corner, leaving Mike Maignan with no chance.

2′ – Rashford’s Cross Cleared

Marcus Rashford delivers a dangerous ball into the box, but a French defender rises highest to clear the danger.

1′ – Rashford’s Early Run Stopped

Marcus Rashford attempts to break through the French defence, but his run is halted by a timely clearance.

1′ – Kick-Off!

The referee, Jesus Valenzuela, gets proceedings underway as France kick off the battle for the World Cup bronze medal.

🇫🇷 FRANCE vs ENGLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Starting XI's confirmed! ✅ pic.twitter.com/0u2Ty16KAQ

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 18, 2026

England have won just one of their last nine meetings with France (D2, L6), with Les Bleus also eliminating the Three Lions from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Head-to-Head History

England have lost both of their previous third-place playoff matches, and another defeat would make them the first nation to lose three World Cup bronze-medal games.

Despite the disappointment, the Three Lions still have the opportunity to secure their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966.

Thomas Tuchel’s tactical changes came under heavy criticism from supporters, who felt his defensive substitutions allowed Argentina back into the game.

England, meanwhile, suffered another painful World Cup semi-final exit after surrendering a late lead in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina.

The 57-year-old will oversee his 187th match as France coach—the most by any manager in the nation’s history—and heads into his farewell with an impressive 77% win rate across his 26 World Cup matches. France had won seven consecutive games before their loss to Spain, with six of those victories coming by at least two goals.

The third-place playoff marks Deschamps’ final game in charge of Les Bleus, ending a glittering tenure that delivered the 2018 World Cup title and a runners-up finish in 2022.

France’s hopes of ending Didier Deschamps’ remarkable reign with another World Cup triumph were dashed after a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain.

Match News and Current Form

Stay with us for live minute-by-minute updates, goals, key moments and celebrations as both European giants battle for the bronze medal.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live blog of the World Cup 2026 third-place match between France and England.