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Kane, Tuchel, Rice, Saka speak after England beat France 6-4 to finish third at World Cup

Harry Kane, Thomas Tuchel, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka speak after England beat France 6-4 to finish third at the 2026 World Cup.

Journalist Emma Smith best summed it up in her report for BBC Sport, saying it was ‘the match nobody wanted to play in became the match nobody wanted to end.’

And it was exactly that. Saka produced a hat-trick, with Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also getting on the scoresheet to give England their best World Cup finish since 1966.

3′ | France 0-1 England (Rice)
18′ | France 0-2 England (Konsa)
37′ | France 0-3 England (Saka)
45+1′ | France 0-4 England (Saka)
48′ | France 1-4 England (Mbappe)
54′ | France 2-4 England (Barcola)
66′ | France 3-4 England (Mbappe)
87′ | France 3-5 England (Saka, pen)
90+6′ | France 4-5 England (Dembele)
90+8′ | France 4-6 England (Bellingham)

Tuchel said, as per englandfootball.com: “We had a brilliant first half and a turbulent second. You could see the difference a day makes in the schedule, we were so tired and drained from the last weeks.

“Massive compliment and full respect to the mentality we showed after going through adversity.

“I was afraid of the physical demand of the match as we know the quality and speed of France.

“The schedule for them was less demanding, with one day more from the semi-final to digest and way less travel distances than us.

“We have played in the heat, altitude and whatever else. I was worried physically and you could see the cramps and tiredness in the second half.

“But I was never worried about the mentality. This team created something very special and they showed it again.”

On Saka, Tuchel said: “He did everything right. I just had a feeling in the semi-final for Morgan Rogers that he would be involved in something special. That was it.

“The games demand so much and we are forced into changes because of cramps and flow of the game.

“Bukayo showed he is a key player – that was never in doubt. I wasn’t even aware he had a hat-trick – I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but it is well deserved.”

On closing the gap to other nations: “Eight years ago, they were champions, four years ago in the final, they were in the Nations League final, so there is a slight gap but we want to close it.

“Today is the first step to close it, we did that, we beat them. The next one will be against Spain in the Nations League.

“To see a team fight like this gives you energy. The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain tomorrow during the final, this will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me.”

Saka said, as per englandfootball.com: “It was a crazy game. We are still disappointed to not be in the final but it was about finishing strong and giving the country the best finish in the World Cup for 60 years.

“The first half won it for us. We won the first half, they won the second, but we got the two goals at the end to win it.

“Jude was never taking it (penalty) and to be fair, he was the first one to say, ‘go and get your hat-trick’. He was holding the ball for me so no-one else got it.

“We built across the tournament, we had some amazing results.

“We fell short against Argentina and it hurts a lot for all of us and I’m sure it’s the same for the fans back home. We have to hold our heads high and move on to the next one.

“It’s how you react and use it as fuel. Today we finished strongly. That’s all we could really do and we did it.”

Worth another look at that half time interview from England assistant head coach Anthony Barry when speaking to BBC Sport at half time:

“Have to be honest, there’s no frustration [they could not perform like this against Argentina]. I’m a little bit emotional, I can’t find the words about how proud I am of those players. We’re playing a game with broken hearts, 11 lads with broken hearts.

“I’ve seen them in the hotel in the last few days with broken hearts. They can build a performance like that by playing through pride for England. The team spirit we’ve built in the last seven weeks.

“The cynics will say it’s too late, but we still play against a world-class opponent and I’m so proud of the boys.”

Fans gave their reaction while Kane, Tuchel, Rice, and Saka speak to the media after England beat France 6-4 to finish third at the 2026 World Cup…

@bwfc_leon09: that was actually a cracking watch tbf. why couldn’t we do it when it mattered though 💔💔💔

@iHateNo1ButAfc: You know what I don’t even mind it what a game to go out on I’m actually excited for the euros

@willthomas67: Bittersweet. Highest placed finish in 60 years. Bearing in mind nobody wanted to play it, they turned it into a good game. Unfortunately, it’s definitely going to be a tournament we look back on as ‘what if’.

@London__Smoke: I just think that’s absolutely lovely. Like fuck it. It was a genuinely bonkers match, our best finish since 1966 and fun. Go home with a win. Fuck the final, it won’t be that much drama. Walk out like Rocky and build for the Euros.

@alexcmfc: Personally I’m happy with our WC. To easily win the group, score 20 goals, win with 10 men at the Azteca, narrowly miss out on beating Argentina in the semis, then put 6 past France… how can that not be seen as decent? Tuchel deserves criticism but it’s 100% being overdone.

@CFCDaily: We’re not entitled enough to snob at 3rd place. It’s a mini achievement and if we can go one step further in the Nations League its improvement

@Ian_M1: Quite possibly the most bonkers World Cup game I’ve seen. Great entertainment

@KevJStewart: Absolutely ludicrous 😂 For 20 minutes, it went a bit more like it was expected to go, but glad we held on and ultimately finished it with a two-goal cushion. Watkins and Toney showed PRECISELY why they barely played, incidentally. Utter garbage. Third 🥉

@HarvMarksy: What an absolutely ludicrous game of football. At least it was worth the watch, albeit very pointless.

@karlyann00: That was an amazing performance from England first half, France got it wrong probably because all our changes. Second half France came into the game. I am pleased Mbappe has now contended the golden boot and I hope he wins it again. I don’t want Messi to get it. Tonight was football. Referee was fair. Both teams played a fair game. Showed respect. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Come on Spain.

@Holtie_TV: Credit to the lads, forgetting everything that’s happened, Englands most successful team since 1966… people won’t say it, but proud of you lads ❤️🤍

@edward_w97: The supposed most pointless World Cup match has been the game of the tournament, and likely decided the golden boot. Thoughts with those who are only going to see the score for the first time later on…

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