England player ratings: Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice star as Three Lions beat France to claim World Cup bronze, but familiar defensive frailties remain

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This was neither the stage nor the occasion England had envisioned for their final outing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it delivered a performance that offered genuine encouragement after the bitter disappointment of their semi-final exit. Following on from a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the Bronze Final, read on to find out how Thomas Tuchel's players fared...

'Talking doesn't get you wins' - Tuchel calls for less 'drama' around England

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Third-place play-offs - or 'Bronze Finals' - rarely stir the imagination. More obligation than opportunity, they have occupied an awkward place on the international calendar since their introduction in 1934.

Yet, if Tuchel wanted a response from his players after the heartbreak of defeat to Argentina four days earlier in Atlanta, he received one in emphatic fashion. At least in the first half.

England supporters had been left frustrated not only by the result, but by the manner of that semi-final loss.

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Against a France side nursing similar wounds following their own 2-0 defeat to European champions Spain, Tuchel's side rediscovered both their cutting edge and attacking freedom during a blistering opening 45 minutes in Miami.

First-half goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and a Bukayo Saka brace handed England a scarcely believable 4-0 lead before the interval, putting them firmly in control of a contest few had expected to become so one-sided.

France rediscovered themselves and rallied after the break through quickfire strikes from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola, turning what had threatened to become an exhibition into an examination.

The pick of the bunch arguably arrived through Mbappe's second as England scrambled their way to a hydration break and ultimately just had too much to surrender their advantage.

Saka duly completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before substitute Ousmane Dembele curled in his sixth goal of this tournament.

It was only fitting that Jude Bellingham would have the final say with a superb solo effort to round out the scoring.

This was the highest scoring bronze-medal match in World Cup history and while third place will never carry the prestige of competing for football's biggest prize, the manner of England's first-half response should not be overlooked.

The quality France showed after the interval was as much about their brilliance as it could be viewed as a seismic collapse, before England showed character to respond.

In the aftermath of the Argentina defeat, assistant coach Anthony Barry revealed the squad had trained with "broken hearts", making the reaction in Miami all the more impressive.

The afternoon also marked the end of an era for France. Didier Deschamps took charge of his final match after 14 years at the helm, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful managerial reigns in international football.

'Incredible achievement' - Saka on hat-trick against France

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Having captained France to World Cup glory on home soil in 1998 before guiding Les Bleus to the title as manager in 2018, his legacy was already secure long before kick-off.

Just days after Spain ended France's hopes of another World Cup final with a 2-0 semi-final victory, Deschamps watched his side endure a disastrous opening 45 minutes in what was his 290th match representing France as either a player or manager.

Bukayo Saka makes it 4-0 to England before half-time

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This began as a sobering farewell, but it turned into a far more enjoyable celebration of France's 'joie de vivre' during his tenure.

Ultimately, there was a fitting symmetry to his international journey. Deschamps' first defeat as a France player came against England at Wembley in 1992, while the final appearance of his 103-cap playing career also came against The Three Lions in a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France in September 2000.

More than two decades later, it was England again who brought the final chapter of his managerial career to a close. With Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed him, France now turn the page to a new era. England, meanwhile, depart North America with mixed emotions.

Kylian Mbappe strokes home to make it 4-1 in Miami

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Missing out on the World Cup final will remain a source of frustration, but clinging onto this victory at least provided Tuchel with valuable evidence as he begins shaping his squad for the next chapter.

The UEFA Nations League campaign begins against Spain in September, and while a third-place finish may offer only limited consolation, several England players seized their opportunity in Miami to strengthen their claims for a prominent role under Tuchel in the months ahead.

England

Dean Henderson - 7 - On only his third competitive start for England, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper's confidence grew from a good save to deny Rayan Cherki. Sharp off his line to smother an Mbappe effort which may have stood following a VAR inspection of an offside call. Made an even better save to deny the same player when the contest was in the balance at 2-0. This was a game when attacks were firmly on top, and Henderson couldn't do an awful lot about all four of France's second-half goals.

Jarell Quansah - 6 - Grateful for this outing to atone for the two-match suspension which ruled him out of the games against Norway and Argentina. Largely untroubled by Desire Doue down his flank with France half-paced, but that all changed with the introduction of Bradley Barcola.

Djed Spence - 8 - Growing into his new acclaim as England's right-footed left-back, winning the crucial penalty off Malo Gusto just when his side were in need of respite. At times, caught too high up the pitch when a more defensive-minded full-back would have used his experience. Having been faced with the task of thwarting the likes of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez in Wednesday's semi-final, this became an onerous task after the break, but Spence relished the challenge.

Ezri Konsa - 6 - Rose to expertly guide his cushioned header into the far corner from Rice's pinpoint corner to double England's lead. Konsa looked more comfortable in his natural centre-back position, but did not spot the danger of Mbappe for France's first goal of the evening. England's defence crumbled for a period thereafter as Dembele and Olise combined to set up Mbappe for his 10th of the tournament like a knife through butter.

Ezri Konsa celebrates rising to head England further in front

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Marc Guehi - 7 - Alive to the danger to clear Mbappe's first-half effort off the line regardless of the official's flag, and was a calm presence alongside Konsa in the first half. Began the attack for England's fourth by trusting Eberechi Eze with his five-yard pass into midfield. But as Rice tired, the defence became increasingly exposed as the unthinkable turnaround became very real.

Declan Rice - 9 - Read Desire Doue's intentions to intercept a telegraphed pass to drive forward and caress his long-range effort into the bottom corner as England made a rapid start. His set-piece deliveries were back on the money as he added an assist to his opener, and his overall pressing and application set the tone among his team-mates. When England needed their senior players during a second-half onslaught, Rice stood tall.

Declan Rice celebrates his brilliant opener for England

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Eberechi Eze - 7 - A more mobile midfield partner than Elliot Anderson, France's high line was troubled on more than one occasion by Eze's ability to break the lines. Switched off for a second to lose Cherki on the stroke of half-time, but it did not prove costly.

Brilliant turn to lose Warren Zaire-Emery and pick out the run of Saka for England's fourth inside 45 minutes. There were other fine moments. His failure to get on against Argentina would have come as a major disappointment, but this positive blow-out points to a brighter future.

Marcus Rashford - 8 - Came close to doubling England's lead through his blocked shot inside six minutes. A dip of the shoulder and a sumptuous nutmeg on Zaire-Emery led to his swirling shot from range which had Mike Maignan scampering to save. Was patient, having picked up the scraps from his own thwarted attempt to set up Saka selflessly as England added a third inside 37 minutes. A lively and impressive 45-minute cameo.

Bukayo Saka - 10 - Star boy. The early warning signs were there when released by Morgan Rogers to cut inside and curl his finish into the bottom corner, but the Arsenal winger had strayed a yard offside beyond Theo Hernandez.

No matter, France ambled forward later in the half looking to halve the deficit and Saka saw oceans of space for Rashford to exploit, chasing his own pass to be in support for a simple tap-in with France's defence at sixes and sevens.

Saka added his second and England's fourth with a sublime dart from out to in before shooting across goal. Earned the match ball with a well-taken penalty to knock the stuffing out of France.

Morgan Rogers - 6 - On the day Chelsea reportedly agreed a £117 million deal with Aston Villa for his services, Rogers shared the bright urgency of his fellow starters with good decision-making on the ball and fluid movement. Found the going tougher in the second period but still won free-kicks to take the pressure off his team-mates.

Ivan Toney - 6 - Came close to adding a fourth in the first half at 3-0 when failing to get on the end of Rashford's inviting cross from the left. Dropped deep to concern Maxence Lacroix and create space for the lively runners in Saka and Rashford.

Substitutes

Ollie Watkins - 5 - Watkins came on for Rashford at the interval, and he was swiftly dispossessed by Dayot Upamecano on the halfway line, which allowed Olise to set up Mbappe for an early riposte at the start of the second half.

Elliot Anderson - 6 - Replaced Toney in the final 11 minutes of normal time in a bid to provide England with control, but the blue shirts kept flooding forward.

Jude Bellingham - 7 - Joined the fray at the same time as Anderson in place of Eze. Had the chance to put the game to bed at 4-3 when Maignan saved at his feet. Showed all his class to steady England's nerves. Did eventually score to seal the bronze.

Reece James - n/a - Replaced Quansah at right-back in the 82nd minute. Was probably already thinking of his summer holidays when the task of handling Barcola landed at his feet. Thankfully, one of several late interruptions that took the sting out of France's ferocious fightback.

Trevoh Chalobah - n/a - Introduced in stoppage time as reward for his application across the past six weeks in training with his first minutes of the tournament, as Guehi made way.

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