Saka hat trick carries England past France in 10-goal World Cup playoff
England beat France 6-4 in Miami Gardens, with Bukayo Saka scoring three as Kylian Mbappé set a World Cup goals record.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Bukayo Saka turned a wild World Cup third-place playoff into his own headline act Saturday, scoring three times as England beat France 6-4 in Miami Gardens, Florida, ESPN reported.
The result gave England their best World Cup finish since 1966, according to ESPN’s report by James Olley, after a match that lurched from first-half rout to second-half scramble.
England led 4-0 at halftime after France were punished repeatedly before the break. ESPN reported that Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Saka, twice, put England in total control during a chaotic opening 45 minutes.
Both teams had reshuffled heavily after losing in the semifinals, with ESPN reporting that each side made seven changes. For France, the match also marked Didier Deschamps’ final game as manager after 14 years in charge.
Deschamps acted at halftime, making four substitutions. ESPN reported that Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola were among the players introduced as France tried to drag themselves back into the contest.
France came roaring back
The comeback began three minutes after the interval. According to ESPN, Michael Olise picked out Kylian Mbappé, who struck first time with his left foot to beat England goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Six minutes later, Mbappé set up Barcola, who ran through and scored at Henderson’s near post, ESPN reported. Mbappé then scored again as France cut the deficit to 4-3.
That second Mbappé goal was his 10th of the tournament and his 22nd overall in men’s World Cup play, ESPN reported, moving him back ahead of Lionel Messi as the competition’s all-time leading men’s scorer.
Olise, credited by ESPN with a single-tournament World Cup record of seven assists, then missed a chance to make it 4-4, sending a side-footed effort wide from 12 yards.
Saka settles England nerves
England finally found breathing room in the 87th minute. ESPN reported that Djed Spence drove into the penalty area and was fouled by Malo Gusto.
Saka took the penalty and scored, completing his hat trick. ESPN reported that he became only the fourth England men’s player to score three goals in a World Cup match.
France still were not finished. Dembélé cut inside onto his left foot and scored to make it 5-4, according to ESPN, keeping pressure on England deep into the match.
Jude Bellingham, who came on as a substitute, closed it out. ESPN reported that he carried the ball into the area and finished from close range for England’s sixth goal.
The final whistle ended a 10-goal match and Deschamps’ France tenure, while England left Miami with third place and one of the most frantic wins of their tournament.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.