Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa scored inside the primary 18 minutes and Bukayo Saka added two extra earlier than half-time as England surged 4-0 forward towards France within the World Cup 2026 third-place play-off on Saturday.
It is a fast begin from England! 🦁⚡
Declan Rice fires dwelling the opener within the third minute towards 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 earlier than Konsa headed within the midfielder’s supply, with Saka firing in after Marcus Rashford confirmed admirable composure to tee up the Gunners livewire.
The Three Lions double their lead! 🦁⚽
Ezri Konsa rises highest from Declan Rice’s nook to go dwelling 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8BfI1LSDOQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy blamed a “sloppy” Need Doue cross for Rice’s purpose. “Declan Rice spots hazard so effectively,” Murphy instructed BBC Sport.
“It opens up for him however he makes it look really easy. It’s poor defending and a terrific end into the far nook. He managed it beautiful and it was a extremely composed end.”
The Three Lions lead France by three targets! 🦁🔥
Bukayo Saka ending off a fast England counter-attack ⚽ pic.twitter.com/9SCfE3uH3v
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
World Cup 2026: Mbappe distress in England vs France
France icon Kylian Mbappe began the sport needing a purpose to maneuver above Argentina’s Lionel Messi within the World Cup top scorer standings.
“Mbappe can’t imagine it,” Mbappe stated after England’s third. “Take a look at how excessive the French are – it’s such dangerous defending.”
Talking in regards to the first purpose, Murphy described France’s defending as “nowhere to be seen” with “no closing down, no urgency”.
🗣 “France are being taken aside by England!”
Bukayo Saka scores his second for the Three Lions’ FOURTH purpose towards the two-time world champions 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4RshXY692E
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 18, 2026
World Cup 2026: England group vs France
England made seven alterations, with prime scorer Harry Kane among the many gamers rested and Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and captain Declan Rice holding their locations.
Kobbie Mainoo, who didn’t function on the finals, was injured.
England beginning 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 additionally introduced in seven gamers, retaining Mike Maignan, Adrian Rabiot, Michael Olise and Mbappe.
France beginning XI: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Need 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
The place to observe England vs France: TV channel, on-line reside stream
Kick-off on Saturday was at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). Within the UK, reside TV protection is on BBC One.
Streaming on an unlimited vary of units is offered by means of the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport web site.
World Cup 2026: England vs France stats
- Third place could be England’s highest end at a World Cup since their sole title in 1966
- England have featured in two World Cup third place play-offs, shedding each of them – 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018
- They’ve gained certainly one of their final 9 matches towards France (D2 L6), prevailing 2-0 in a pleasant in November 2015 pleasant
- With 14 targets, Kane is the joint-fifth highest scorer in World Cup historical past, matching Gerd Muller and one behind Ronaldo Nazario
- Mbappe is the second-highest scorer within the competitors historical past, together with his 20 targets representing one fewer than Lionel Messi’s whole
- That is the fourth World Cup assembly between France and England – the Three Lions gained the primary two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) however France gained 2-1 within the 2022 quarter-final
- Each single World Cup third place play-off match has been gained with out going to penalties, with solely France’s 4-2 win over Belgium in 1986 going to additional time
- France are competing within the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time. Solely Germany (5) have extra appearances
- Les Bleus beat Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, though they misplaced 3-2 to Poland in 1982
- They’re unbeaten in 4 aggressive conferences with England (W2 D2) since a 3-1 win on the 1982 World Cup
- Deschamps will take cost of his 187th and closing match as France supervisor, together with his 121 wins greater than some other head coach for Les Bleus (D35 L30)
