Saka hat-trick, Mbappé records highlight England's World Cup win over France

In a World Cup third-place playoff for the ages, England secured a remarkable 6-4 victory over France, fueled by a spectacular hat-trick from Bukayo Saka. The thrilling encounter, the highest-scoring World Cup match since 1982, also saw Kylian Mbappé etch his name further into the record books, surpassing Lionel Messi's career World Cup goal tally and taking a commanding lead in the race for the Golden Boot.

England established a dominant 4-0 lead by halftime, with Saka scoring in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time. Further goals from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa put the Three Lions in firm control. After the break, France mounted a spirited comeback, with Mbappé scoring twice to move past Messi's 22 World Cup goals and finish the tournament with ten goals, two ahead of Messi in the top scorer standings. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also found the net for France.

Saka completed his hat-trick with an 87th-minute penalty, becoming only the fourth English player to achieve a World Cup treble. Despite France's late efforts, including a goal from Dembélé, Jude Bellingham capped off the scoring for England in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, marking his seventh goal of the tournament and securing England's best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph.

England coach expressed pride in his team's performance, acknowledging a brilliant first half followed by a turbulent second. He attributed the team's fatigue to the tournament's demanding schedule but praised their mentality. The match's high goal count and individual records underscored a dramatic conclusion to the tournament, highlighting the attacking prowess of both nations.

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We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half. You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks. So a massive compliment and full respect, the mentality that we showed.