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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 | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 18, 2026
· 3 min read
Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi’s career tournament scoring record and took the lead in the Golden Boot race with a pair of second-half goals on Saturday.
It was the highest-sco...
Key takeaway It was the highest-scoring World Cup game since Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 in 1982, and the 10 goals were the most in a third-place match.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
For San Francisco 's soccer fans, the England-France matchup may have been a thrilling consolation prize, but it also underscored the city's own passion for the sport. With a diverse population and a thriving soccer community, San Francisco has long been a hub for fans of international football. The high-scoring game, with its dramatic comebacks and impressive individual performances, would have been a treat for the city's many soccer enthusiasts. As the World Cup comes to a close, San Francisco's fans will be looking to local leagues and teams to fill the void, and the city's soccer infrastructure will likely see a surge in interest and participation. The Bay Area is home to a number of prominent soccer clubs and organizations, and the excitement generated by the World Cup is likely to have a lasting impact on the local soccer scene.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco 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 NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi’s career tournament scoring record and took the lead in the Golden Boot race with a pair of second-half goals on Saturday.
It was the highest-sco...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alanis Thames | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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