What was the final score of the match?

England defeated France 6-4 in the third-place play-off.

Who were the standout players?

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka drove England's attack, while Kylian Mbappé was France's most dangerous player with two goals.

What does the result mean for both teams?

England gain momentum and confidence up front but must fix defensive issues, while France must urgently restore balance and structure to turn individual talent into consistent team performance.

The Guru: England's 6-4 Masterclass — A Chaotic Triumph Over France

England emerged from chaos to claim third place with a 6-4 win over France in a relentless, 10-goal encounter that refused to be tidy. The contest oscillated between clinical finishing and defensive surrender, producing a spectacle that will be studied as much for its goals as its mistakes.

Harry Kane led the charge, with Bukayo Saka tormenting the French flanks and Kylian Mbappé responding with two sharp strikes of his own. Tactically the game was an indictment of conservative defending; both managers committed men forward and paid the price as space opened repeatedly in transition.

This victory tells you as much about England's attacking conviction as it does about France's structural rot; Les Bleus scored freely but could not stop conceding. The managers now face stark choices: England must temper exuberance with discipline, while France must rebuild balance or risk watching individual brilliance be wasted.

The Guru's verdict is blunt — England have re-established attacking belief but remain fragile at the back; short-term momentum is theirs, long-term progress will require steel. My prediction: England will take this momentum into qualifiers and escalate as genuine contenders if their coach prioritises defensive structure; France will need urgent recalibration before facing top opponents again.