The 2026 World Cup third-place play-off between England and France in Miami saw a flurry of goals and record-breaking feats. England surged ahead early, with Declan Rice scoring in just the third minute. By half-time, England was leading 4-0 against a seemingly disinterested French side.

England assistant coach Anthony Barry expressed his pride at the team's spirit and performance, stating, "But for them to build a performance like that just through pride of playing for England, the team spirit we've built, it's been a privilege to watch." He added, "I'm a little bit emotional, I can't find the words to describe how proud of these lads I am."

A standout moment came from Jude Bellingham, who scored a record-breaking goal with a spectacular solo run, carrying the ball half the length of the pitch and evading two French defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. This goal set a new record for an English player at the World Cup.

French star Kylian Mbappé entered the match tied with Lionel Messi at eight goals in the 2026 Golden Boot race and one goal behind Messi in the all-time World Cup scoring charts.

Before the match kicked off in Miami, there had been 57 hat-tricks scored in men's World Cup history.

The match was marked by rapid scoring and multiple records, highlighting the intensity and high stakes of the World Cup's final stages.

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