England win the bronze medal in a stunning 6-4 victory after leading 4-0 at halftime, surviving a ferocious French comeback led by Mbappé — who broke the all-time World Cup scoring record — before Saka's hat-trick penalty and Bellingham's late strike sealed the greatest third-place match ever played.

France have scored 16 goals — and conceded just 4 — across seven matches, yet their first tournament defeat to Spain exposed a finishing vulnerability that England may look to exploit. England have won five of seven, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane sharing 12 goals between them, but conceded eight times — twice as many as France. Both teams score heavily from the second half onward. Both arrive wounded. Sportami identifies the patterns that will shape the World Cup's third-place playoff.

England's shocking collapse highlighted by a mere four passes in 19 minutes, underscoring their tactical disarray.

Thomas Tuchel blames England's 'DNA' for their World Cup exit, defending his tactical choices.

In a dramatic late comeback, Argentina defeated England 2-1, overturning a deficit established by Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal. Despite England's initial lead, Enzo Fernández spearheaded Argentina's resurgence, contributing to a dominant 15-shot effort that overwhelmed England's defense and secured victory.