Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick—two in open play, one from the penalty spot—as England defeated France 6-4 in the World Cup bronze-medal match. The performance vindicated Thomas Tuchel's controversial decision to bench the winger for the semi-final loss to Argentina four days earlier. Saka had started just three of eight tournament matches before Sunday. Yet he delivered a 9.3-rated performance that proved Tuchel's faith in him was never misplaced.

Saka's limited tournament minutes before Sunday

Saka's inclusion against France came as a surprise to some, given his role in England's tournament build-up. He had played full matches in only one group-stage fixture, appearing from the bench or missing entirely in the knockout rounds—until the semi-final benching. Tuchel's decision to start Morgan Rogers ahead of him against Argentina invited criticism. Yet the manager's post-match explanation showed it was tactical, not a loss of faith: "I just had the feeling for Morgan Rogers that he would be involved in something special, and that was it."

Saka's response to the benching was measured. "Of course I would love to have played more but it's too late to talk about that," he said. "I try to do my talking on the pitch and it's done now, move on." His subsequent three goals delivered exactly that message.

His involvement against France extended beyond the three finishes. Saka completed 23 passes and created 3 key passes across 98 minutes, a reminder that his value runs deeper than pure goal output. Tuchel seemed almost bewildered by the completeness of the display. "I was not even aware he had a hat-trick, I lost the overview of all the goal-scorers, but well-deserved credit."

Declan Rice proved the pre-match sceptics wrong

Pre-match consensus had urged Tuchel to rest Declan Rice entirely. Glen Johnson argued he "can't see Rice playing at all" due to accumulated injury and fatigue. Joe Hart insisted "there's no point in Declan playing" after a gruelling season. Yet Rice not only started but completed all 98 minutes with a 9.3 rating—matching Saka's—and opened the scoring in the 3rd minute.

His workload was significant. Rice completed 91 passes, England's highest for the match, alongside 7 tackles and 7 duels won. If Saka's hat-trick vindicated selective rotation, Rice's performance vindicated the opposite: Tuchel's judgment to trust a senior player despite fatigue concerns. The midfielder had been nursing an injury through the tournament, yet his industry in midfield was exactly what England needed once France began their second-half comeback.

The second-half drama

England led 4-6 at half-time after Rice's opener (3rd minute), Ezri Konsa's header (18th minute), and Saka's brace. The scoreline suggested an easy route to bronze. But Kylian Mbappé had other ideas. He scored twice (48', 66'), each assisted by Michael Olise, to spark genuine hope for France. Ousmane Dembélé added a third at 90+6, and for a moment, an upset looked possible.

Tuchel pointed to circumstance as much as to his team's slight second-half dip. "You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule," he said. "We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks." France had an extra day's rest and better travel arrangements—factors that loosened a 4-0 stranglehold but did not flip the narrative. Jude Bellingham's clincher at 90+8 sealed it at 6-4, a scoreline reflecting England's first-half dominance and resilience under pressure.

England's best World Cup result since 1966

This bronze medal represents England's strongest World Cup finish in 60 years. That context matters when weighing the semi-final loss to Argentina. Tuchel gambled on his selections—benching Saka, backing Rice—and on Sunday, those bets paid off. Saka's hat-trick proved he was never the problem. Rice's 98 minutes proved the doubters wrong. This bronze medal marks their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966.

FAQ

Why did Tuchel bench Bukayo Saka for the World Cup semi-final?

Tuchel made a tactical decision to start Morgan Rogers against Argentina, explaining he 'just had the feeling' Rogers would deliver something special. Saka was nursing an Achilles issue but confirmed he was fit. Four days later, Tuchel brought Saka back for the bronze-medal match, where the winger scored a hat-trick to vindicate the manager's faith.

Did Declan Rice play in the bronze match despite injury concerns?

Yes. Pre-match experts urged Tuchel to rest Rice due to accumulated fatigue, but the midfielder started and completed all 98 minutes with a 9.3 rating and opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. His 91 passes—England's highest in the match—alongside 7 tackles showed he was crucial to England's defensive stability.

What was the final score of England vs France in the World Cup bronze match?

England won 6-4. Bukayo Saka's hat-trick, Declan Rice's opening goal, and Jude Bellingham's 90+8 clincher secured third place, marking England's strongest World Cup finish in 60 years—since winning the tournament in 1966.

How many goals did Bukayo Saka score in the bronze match?

Three. Saka scored twice in open play (37th and 45+1 minutes) and one penalty (87th minute) to deliver a 9.3-rated performance. He had started just three of England's eight tournament matches before the bronze decider, making his performance an even clearer vindication of Tuchel's faith.

Did France almost score an upset comeback from 4-0 down?

France mounted a genuine second-half surge, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and Ousmane Dembélé adding a late third to make it 4-3, then 4-4. But England held firm, and Jude Bellingham sealed a 6-4 win at 90+8. Tuchel attributed France's momentum to their extra day's rest and better travel schedule.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →