England player ratings vs France: Saka steals the show as Three Lions finish third
· Yahoo Sports
England claimed third place at the 2026 World Cup with a 6-4 victory over France in a remarkable third-place play-off at Miami Stadium.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to earn Player of the Match honours as the Three Lions led 4-0 at half-time before riding out a determined French fightback. Declan Rice opened the scoring in the third minute and captained the side with authority throughout, while Ezri Konsa, Saka three times and substitute Jude Bellingham completed the scoring.
Visit hilogame.news for more information.
Here is how the players rated in Miami.
England player ratings vs France
Goalkeeper & Defence
Dean Henderson – 5 Given his first tournament start with Pickford rested, Henderson was rarely seriously tested but dealt competently with what came his way. Four goals conceded, though France’s second-half fightback was a shared defensive failure rather than anything specifically of his making.
Jarell Quansah – 6 Handled the first half well as England’s backline sat comfortably on their cushion. Barcola gave him a much tougher afternoon after the break before Quansah’s evening ended early with what appeared to be a knock.
Ezri Konsa – 7 Timed his run from deep to perfection for England’s second, heading home cleanly from Declan Rice’s corner. Solid in the centre alongside Guehi and one of the more assured performers in a backline that had to work considerably harder after the break.
Marc Guehi – 6 Kept things tidy in the first half when England were in complete control. Conceding four goals across the piece dulls what a decent individual display was, though the collapse after the break was a collective one rather than anything specifically down to Guehi.
Djed Spence – 8 England’s standout defensive performer across the whole tournament, and one of the few players whose reputation grew with every appearance. Threatened constantly from left back, added a directness and pace in transition that repeatedly caught France’s right side cold, and won the penalty that completed Saka’s hat-trick. A World Cup to be very proud of.
Midfield & Attack
Declan Rice – 8 Captained England in Kane’s absence and led by the most emphatic example available — smashing the opening goal inside three minutes with a strike that set the tone for the entire evening. Delivered the corner from which Konsa headed home for the second, and controlled the first half from the pivot with authority. This was Rice at his commanding best.
Eberechi Eze – 7 His composed play in the middle and the intelligent assist for Saka’s second goal were the contributions of a player who has consistently taken his chances when given them throughout this tournament. Kept the tempo high in a first half where England were simply irresistible.
Morgan Rogers – 6 Worked hard and covered considerable ground, but lacked the decisive contributions the night’s attacking ambition demanded. Held his position well and did his defensive duties without complaint, but this was not Rogers at his most impactful.
Marcus Rashford – 7 His composed assist for Saka’s third goal — recognising the space, executing the pass with calm precision — was the kind of contribution that often gets overshadowed on a night like this. A better tournament than his wider reputation may acknowledge; tonight was another solid step.
Bukayo Saka – 9 ( ⭐ Player of the Match ) A reminder, for anyone who needed one, of what England have been missing. A full-fitness, full-confidence Bukayo Saka at a World Cup looks like this: three goals, total control of the right flank, the ability to create from nothing and finish with certainty. He has carried Arsenal through two trophyless seasons with the same relentlessness. Here, on the biggest stage, the full version arrived. The best individual performance by an England player at this tournament.
Ivan Toney – 5 Occupied the French defence without consistently hurting it. His physical presence gave England an outlet in behind but the supply was limited and Toney was unable to manufacture enough on his own before being replaced.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins – 5 Replaced Toney and received limited service during a second half in which France were doing most of the pressing. Held the ball up well when involved but never truly threatened.
Reece James – 4 Came on for the injured Quansah late in the second half in what was always going to be a damage-limitation role. Found it difficult as France pushed for their comeback goals.
Elliot Anderson – 5 Introduced with ten minutes remaining to help England see out the result. Did exactly what was required without being asked to do very much.
Jude Bellingham – 7 Arrived for the final few minutes of a match England were still protecting, and scored anyway. His tournament total speaks for itself — arguably England’s best player across the whole competition, and the kind of player who seems constitutionally incapable of not contributing on a football pitch.
Trevoh Chalobah – N/A Made his World Cup debut in the 90th minute. Too brief to rate.
Read more – The night Diego Maradona threatened to have Oasis shot
See Also- Gary Neville proven right after England prediction came true