Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa scored inside the first 18 minutes and Bukayo Saka added two more before half-time as England surged 4-0 ahead against France in the World Cup 2026 third-place play-off on Saturday.
It’s a quick start from England! 🦁⚡
Declan Rice fires home the opener in the third minute against France ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ID4u3rXOuM
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
Arsenal’s Rice struck from distance after two minutes and 14 seconds before Konsa headed in the midfielder’s delivery, with Saka firing in after Marcus Rashford showed admirable composure to tee up the Gunners livewire.
The Three Lions double their lead! 🦁⚽
Ezri Konsa rises highest from Declan Rice’s corner to head home 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8BfI1LSDOQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy blamed a “sloppy” Desire Doue pass for Rice’s goal. “Declan Rice spots danger so well,” Murphy told BBC Sport.
“It opens up for him but he makes it look so easy. It’s poor defending and a terrific finish into the far corner. He controlled it lovely and it was a really composed finish.”
The Three Lions lead France by three goals! 🦁🔥
Bukayo Saka finishing off a quick England counter-attack ⚽ pic.twitter.com/9SCfE3uH3v
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
World Cup 2026: Mbappe misery in England vs France
France icon Kylian Mbappe started the game needing a goal to move above Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the World Cup top scorer standings.
“Mbappe can’t believe it,” Mbappe said after England’s third. “Look at how high the French are – it’s such bad defending.”
Speaking about the first goal, Murphy described France’s defending as “nowhere to be seen” with “no closing down, no urgency”.
🗣 “France are being taken apart by England!”
Bukayo Saka scores his second for the Three Lions’ FOURTH goal against the two-time world champions 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4RshXY692E
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
World Cup 2026: England team vs France
England made seven alterations, with top scorer Harry Kane among the players rested and Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and captain Declan Rice keeping their places.
Kobbie Mainoo, who did not feature at the finals, was injured.
England starting XI: Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney
England substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke
World Cup 2026: France full line up vs England
France also brought in seven players, retaining Mike Maignan, Adrian Rabiot, Michael Olise and Mbappe.
France starting XI: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue
France substitutes: Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Where to watch England vs France: TV channel, online live stream
Kick-off on Saturday was at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: England vs France stats
- Third place would be England’s highest finish at a World Cup since their sole title in 1966
- England have featured in two World Cup third place play-offs, losing both of them – 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018
- They have won one of their last nine matches against France (D2 L6), prevailing 2-0 in a friendly in November 2015 friendly
- With 14 goals, Kane is the joint-fifth highest scorer in World Cup history, matching Gerd Muller and one behind Ronaldo Nazario
- Mbappe is the second-highest scorer in the competition history, with his 20 goals representing one fewer than Lionel Messi’s total
- This is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England – the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) but France won 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-final
- Every single World Cup third place play-off match has been won without going to penalties, with only France’s 4-2 win over Belgium in 1986 going to extra time
- France are competing in the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time. Only Germany (5) have more appearances
- Les Bleus beat Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, although they lost 3-2 to Poland in 1982
- They are unbeaten in four competitive meetings with England (W2 D2) since a 3-1 win at the 1982 World Cup
- Deschamps will take charge of his 187th and final match as France manager, with his 121 wins more than any other head coach for Les Bleus (D35 L30)
