Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa scored inside the first 18 minutes and Bukayo Saka added two more before half-time as England surged 4-0 ahead against France in the World Cup 2026 third-place play-off on Saturday. Arsenals Rice struck from distance after two minutes and 14 seconds before Konsa headed in the midfielders delivery, with Saka firing in after Marcus Rashford showed admirable composure to tee up the Gunners livewire. Former England midfielder Danny Murphy blamed a sloppy Desire Doue pass for Rices goal. Declan Rice spots danger so well, Murphy told BBC Sport.It opens up for him but he makes it look so easy. Its poor defending and a terrific finish into the far corner. He controlled it lovely and it was a really composed finish. Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Mbappe misery in England vs FranceWorld Cup 2026: England team vs FranceWorld Cup 2026: France full line up vs EnglandWhere to watch England vs France: TV channel, online live streamWorld Cup 2026: England vs France statsWorld Cup 2026: Mbappe misery in England vs FranceFrance icon Kylian Mbappe started the game needing a goal to move above Argentinas Lionel Messi in the World Cup top scorer standings.Mbappe cant believe it, Mbappe said after Englands third. Look at how high the French are its such bad defending.Speaking about the first goal, Murphy described Frances defending as nowhere to be seen with no closing down, no urgency. World Cup 2026: England team vs FranceEngland made seven alterations, with top scorer Harry Kane among the players rested and Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers and captain Declan Rice keeping their places.Kobbie Mainoo, who did not feature at the finals, was injured.England starting XI: Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ivan ToneyEngland substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico OReilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni MaduekeWorld Cup 2026: France full line up vs EnglandFrance also brought in seven players, retaining Mike Maignan, Adrian Rabiot, Michael Olise and Mbappe.France starting XI: Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire DoueFrance substitutes: Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, NGolo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe MatetaWhere to watch England vs France: TV channel, online live streamKick-off on Saturday was at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.World Cup 2026: England vs France statsThird place would be Englands highest finish at a World Cup since their sole title in 1966England have featured in two World Cup third place play-offs, losing both of them 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018They have won one of their last nine matches against France (D2 L6), prevailing 2-0 in a friendly in November 2015 friendlyWith 14 goals, Kane is the joint-fifth highest scorer in World Cup history, matching Gerd Muller and one behind Ronaldo NazarioMbappe is the second-highest scorer in the competition history, with his 20 goals representing one fewer than Lionel Messis totalThis is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) but France won 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-finalEvery single World Cup third place play-off match has been won without going to penalties, with only Frances 4-2 win over Belgium in 1986 going to extra timeFrance are competing in the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time. Only Germany (5) have more appearancesLes Bleus beat Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, although they lost 3-2 to Poland in 1982They are unbeaten in four competitive meetings with England (W2 D2) since a 3-1 win at the 1982 World CupDeschamps will take charge of his 187th and final match as France manager, with his 121 wins more than any other head coach for Les Bleus (D35 L30) Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Adrien Rabiot Anthony Gordon Aurelien Tchouameni Bukayo Saka Dan Burn Dayot Upamecano Declan Rice Didier Deschamps Djed Spence Eberechi Eze Elliot Anderson England National Football Team FIFA World Cup France National Football Team Harry Kane Ibrahima Konate Ivan Toney James Trafford Jarell Quansah Jean-Philippe Mateta John Stones Jordan Henderson Jordan Pickford Jude Bellingham Kobbie Mainoo Kylian Mbapp Marc Guehi Marcus Rashford Michael Olise Morgan Rogers N'Golo Kante Nico O'Reilly Noni Madueke Ollie Watkins Ousmane Dembele Rayan Cherki Reece James Thomas Tuchel World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE England v France: World Cup 2026 text commentary, updates, goals and stats as Barcola goal reduces Three Lions lead to 4-2 in play off Jon Fisher 18th July, 2026 England vs France live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups as Kylian Mbappe starts and Harry Kane is rested, TV channel, online stream and stats Ben Miller 18th July, 2026 Tuchel once again defends tactical decisions in Argentina loss and claims England must carry scar forever Mitch Fretton 18th July, 2026 Tuchel calls for strong finish to Englands World Cup campaign Mitch Fretton 17th July, 2026 Deschamps ready for final curtain as France face England in World Cup third-place play-off Mitch Fretton 17th July, 2026 England manager favourite Guardiola reveals what would tempt him back: I have a real connection with the UK Ben Miller 17th July, 2026
