The Miami Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff, where England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling, high-scoring encounter.
England made the perfect start, taking the lead just three minutes into the match. Captain Declan Rice fired a superb low strike into the net to give the Three Lions an early advantage. Bukayo Saka thought he had doubled the lead in the 11th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. England did get their second in the 19th minute, however, as Rice's corner was met by Ezri Konsa, whose powerful header found the corner of the French net.
France's defensive display was surprisingly poor, and the unmotivated Les Bleus conceded again in the 37th minute. Marcus Rashford set up Bukayo Saka, who finished confidently to make it 3-0. Saka struck again in first-half stoppage time, scoring his second goal of the match in the 45+1st minute to complete a disastrous opening half for France.
France responded immediately after the break. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute, converting a pass from Michael Olise for his ninth goal of the tournament, strengthening his bid for the Golden Boot. Bradley Barcola added France's second in the 54th minute after being set up by Mbappé. The French captain then scored again himself in the 66th minute with a precise left-footed finish, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals and becoming the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Despite creating several more chances, France failed to complete the comeback. England sealed the victory in the 88th minute when Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, restoring a comfortable two-goal cushion and securing a memorable 5-4 win. Dayot Upamecano scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but it only reduced the deficit.
Jude Bellingham restored England's three-goal cushion in the eighth minute of stoppage time, bringing the 10-goal thriller to a fitting close.
Thomas Tuchel's side produced England's best World Cup performance since their historic triumph in 1966, securing a third-place finish. Mbappé, meanwhile, ended the tournament with 22 career World Cup goals, overtaking Lionel Messi's record of 21 to become the competition's all-time leading scorer.
