FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE updates: England come third in dazzling 6-4 win over France as Mbappe becomes all-time World Cup leading goal scorer

Now it’s Bellingham’s turn! He looked hungry for a goal of his own. He strides up the pitch, flying solo and curving around two defenders before striking with his right foot into the bottom-right corner of the box. What a solo goal for him. He now holds the record for the most goals scored by an English player at a World Cup, with seven to his name in this tournament.

And that’s it. The match is over and England claim their best finish since their win in 1966.

No third-placed play-off has ever had more goals in it than this one – and that was even before Bellingham found the closing goal.

England 6-4 France, full-time

Spence is on the ground now with an injury and England are out of substitutions for the final few minutes of stoppage time.

When play resumes, Bellingham has the ball for a moment before France win it back and capitalise off a mistake from Rice. Dembele scores with an assist from Upamecano.

England 5-4 France, 90+6 minutes

There will be seven minutes of stoppage time as France make a substitution to replace Gusto who looks to have left the pitch with cramp. Jules Kounde comes on in his place.

England make a change of their own, swapping Guehi for Trevoh Chalobah.

England 5-3 France, 90+2 minutes

Could this seal the match for England? Djed Spence wins a penalty for England with five minutes to go when fouled by Gusto with a poorly timed tackle.

Although they’re still in the lead, England haven’t dominated this half like they did the first and would surely love a two-goal lead.

With Kane still on the bench, Bellingham will take this one for England. But wait! There’s a change! Saka will take it instead as Bellingham steps aside and hands him the ball.

The referee is getting a calf massage on the side of the pitch and the players wait for him before the match can resume. In his defence, it’s hot in Miami. Now, Quansah is sitting down on the pitch and they’ve brought a stretcher on but he’ll walk off.

Reece James comes on to replace him.

Moments before, Olise found yet another shot in front of the goal, but it’s gone wide again.

England 4-3 France, 84 minutes

There’s a heavy foul on Saka by Digne who gets away with a warning. Play resumes before England can make some changes.

Toney and Eze are replaced by Jude Bellingham and Elliott Anderson. Looks like Rice is staying on for now.

England 4-3 France, 79 minutes

Will England lose this match again because of Thomas Tuchel’s decisions? France made four substitutions to England’s one at the half-time break and England still haven’t made any more.

Olise fires again in the 75th minute as France look for an equaliser. How have England let this match slip out of their control so quickly?

Once more, Tuchel has England fans screaming at their TVs – this time for the complete opposite reason as the match against Argentina.

England 4-3 France, 75 minutes

Olise pummels the ball wide of the box in the 61st minute, and both England’s Eze and France’s Mbappe shoot and are blocked in the 64th. It’s still end-to-end as England begin to look fatigued.

Before they get a chance to make substitutions, Mbappe scores again! This is historic, he’s now the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer, surpassing Messi. Olise will claim the assist and the French fans are roaring.

England 4-3 France, 66 minutes

Now that France have arrived, the match is certainly getting a little spicier. France come close to claiming a third but Henderson blocks the ball before England win a corner. Rice – who is looking exhausted – delivers the ball in to Toney, who heads the ball on target, forcing Maignan into a save.

It’s very warm in Miami and Rice looks to be suffering as a result. Luckily for him, the bench is stacked with substitutes, including regular captain Harry Kane and their leading goalscorer of this tournament, Jude Bellingham.

England 4-2 France, 60 minutes