Dembélé keeps France alive in wild 5-4 clash with England
Telemundo said Ousmane Dembélé finished after a Dayot Upamecano steal and assist as France cut England’s lead to 5-4 in the World Cup third-place match.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
Ousmane Dembélé dragged France back within one goal of England in a breathless World Cup third-place match, making it 5-4 after a defensive steal by Dayot Upamecano, according to Telemundo’s match highlight published July 18, 2026.
Telemundo described the play as beginning with a major ball recovery by Upamecano, who then set up Dembélé for France’s fourth goal. The network said the strike showed France refusing to fold in the battle for third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The goal came in a match that, based on Telemundo’s running highlight coverage, had already swung hard toward England before France’s late push. England built a 4-0 lead through goals credited in Telemundo clips to Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Bukayo Saka, with Saka scoring twice before France began cutting into the gap.
Telemundo’s highlight list said Rice opened the scoring for England with a long-range effort for 1-0. Konsa then made it 2-0, before Saka added England’s third and fourth goals, turning the match into a severe test for France and Kylian Mbappé, according to the network’s coverage.
France’s response, as tracked by Telemundo’s clips, ran through Mbappé. One highlight described him scoring a historic World Cup goal to reduce the deficit. Another said his skill set up Bradley Barcola for a French goal, and a separate clip credited Mbappé with another standout finish that gave France life against England.
England still found another way through. Telemundo said Saka later converted from the penalty spot, punishing France and pushing England to five goals. Dembélé’s finish then pulled France to 5-4, keeping the match tense.
A bronze match loaded with side stories
The meeting carried extra weight beyond the scoreline. Telemundo’s surrounding coverage framed the game as the contest for the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup and noted that England had arrived in Miami looking to close its tournament with third place.
The network also said England was seeking revenge after its elimination by France in Qatar, while another segment said both teams carried the weight of defeat into the third-place match.
On the touchline, Telemundo showed Thomas Tuchel and Didier Deschamps embracing before the match. Another clip described Deschamps’ frustration during the heavy early deficit and identified the game as his last with Les Bleus.
France’s rally made sure the finish had drama. According to Telemundo, Dembélé’s goal, made by Upamecano’s steal and pass, left the score at England 5, France 4, in a wild fight for the World Cup’s bronze medal.
This story draws on original reporting from TELEMUNDO.com.