The night of July 19 delivered one of the most extraordinary matches in World Cup history: England defeated France 6:4 in the WC 2026 third-place match to claim the bronze medal. Ten goals in 90 minutes, a France comeback from 0:4, and ultimately — a victory for the Three Lions. If you're looking for the WC 2026 match schedule in Kyiv time for all playoff fixtures, the details are at the link.
Results of the night
France — England 4:6 (third-place match)
Miami Stadium, kick-off at 00:00 Kyiv time (17:00 ET). England took to the pitch without Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham — both remained on the bench. Despite this, the Three Lions put on a dominant display in the first half: by the break the score had reached 4:0 in England's favour. Declan Rice got on the scoresheet for the winners. France started with Kylian Mbappé in the lineup — the Les Bleus captain was chasing the Golden Boot with 8 goals, level with Lionel Messi.
The second half turned into a genuine comeback: France pulled back four goals to level the score at 4:4. However, England found the strength to respond and sealed the match 6:4. Michael Olise, the tournament's leading assist provider, broke Pelé's record for the most assists in a single World Cup tournament during this match. For Didier Deschamps, it was his final match as head coach of the French national team — his 187th game in that role.
England won a World Cup bronze medal for the first time since 1966. For France — a fourth appearance in a third-place match, but this time without a medal.
Tournament schedule
The bronze match concluded the group and knockout stages of the tournament. The final WC 2026 medal standings after the night look as follows:
- 🥇 1st place — to be decided today in the final between Spain and Argentina
- 🥈 2nd place — to be decided today in the final
- 🥉 3rd place — England
- 4th place — France
The Golden Boot race remains open: Mbappé (8 goals) and Messi (8 goals) are level, but Messi has the edge on assists. The final between Spain and Argentina will decide who becomes the tournament's top scorer. Read more about the WC 2026 schedule in Kyiv time: the bronze match and the Spain — Argentina final in a separate article.
Off the pitch
- Deschamps departs: Didier Deschamps played his 187th and final match as head coach of the French national team. Under his tenure, Les Bleus recorded 121 victories — more than any other manager in their history.
- Olise's record: Michael Olise broke Pelé's 1970 record for the most assists in a single World Cup tournament. All of his assists came from open play.
- Mbappé without the Boot: Kylian Mbappé finished the tournament with 8 goals but without the Golden Boot — the award depends on Messi's performance in the final. According to Fox Sports, Mbappé "enhanced his World Cup legacy, but without a trophy."
- Final under air quality threat: According to ESPN, the WC 2026 final is not at risk of cancellation despite air quality warnings in the New Jersey area — sources confirmed the match will go ahead as planned.
Today, July 19, at 22:00 Kyiv time (15:00 ET), the WC 2026 final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey: Spain — Argentina. Full preview — in the evening preview section. Read more about the WC 2026 finalists' press conference in Kyiv time in a separate article.
See also: Argentina survived Cape Verde's miracle, Egypt advanced on penalties: the night of…
Photo: Kari Anderson · Editorial (source)
