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Saka’s hat trick lifts England past Mbappé and France 6-4 in wild World Cup third-place game
By ALANIS THAMES at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 5 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — England and France delivered a thriller in a World Cup match that was supposed to be an afterthought.A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian ...
Key takeaway A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian Mbappé and France 6-4 in a wild third-place game.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville soccer fans who gathered to watch the World Cup third-place match were treated to a thrilling display of offense, with England's 6-4 victory over France featuring a combined 10 goals, the most in a third-place match. The high-scoring affair may have been a welcome distraction for local fans still reeling from the US team's earlier exit from the tournament. As the city's own soccer scene continues to grow, with Nashville SC competing in Major League Soccer, the excitement generated by this World Cup match could help build momentum for the sport in Music City. The success of England's young players, including Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, may also inspire local youth soccer players and coaches, who can look to their examples as they develop their own skills and strive for excellence in the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — England and France delivered a thriller in a World Cup match that was supposed to be an afterthought.A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ALANIS THAMES at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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