The third-place play-off is usually the match nobody really wants to play.
France and England had both arrived at the World Cup hoping to lift the trophy, so meeting again with bronze on the line was hardly the dream ending either side had in mind.
Still, once the whistle blew, any disappointment quickly gave way to chaos.
What followed was one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament, with both teams throwing caution aside and turning the game into a full-blown goal exhibition.
England eventually came out on top with a 6-4 victory, securing third place and ending their World Cup campaign on a much happier note.
It was a very different England performance from the frustrating semi-final defeat to Argentina. They played with more freedom, moved the ball forward quickly and took their chances when they came.
France were just as dangerous going the other way, but with both defences looking ready for the beach, the match became increasingly open as the goals kept arriving.
For England, third place will not erase the disappointment of missing out on the final, but it is still a strong finish to the tournament. They leave with a medal, a final victory and at least one match supporters will remember for the right reasons.
France, meanwhile, finish fourth after another deep World Cup run. Not the ending they wanted, but still a tournament that took them all the way to the final weekend.
The bronze medal match may have started as the fixture nobody wanted, but by the final whistle it had delivered ten goals, plenty of drama and a reminder that sometimes the least-anticipated games can produce the biggest surprises.
Now all eyes turn to Spain and Argentina, with the FIFA World Cup trophy finally up for grabs.
Match Result
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Third Place Play-Off
France 4-6 England
