World Cup 2026: Mbappe Seizes Golden Boot Lead Amid France’s Disappointing Third-Place Finish

Last night’s third-place playoff between France and England served as a fitting appetizer ahead of tonight’s highly anticipated World Cup final. As the stakes reached an all-time high for Argentina and Spain, the world watched with bated breath, anticipating a tactical chess match. However, as the old adage goes, ‘stranger things have happened in football.’

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Saka & Bellingham Reach Impressive Milestones

Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka shone in England’s consolation victory over France in the highest-scoring World Cup fixture since 1982. The 24-year-old winger scored his first-ever hat-trick for the national team, inspiring the Three Lions to a stunning 6-4 win at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Saka’s impressive performance also made him only the fourth England star to score three goals in one World Cup match, joining Geoff Hurst (1966), Gary Lineker (1986), and Harry Kane (2018). Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel became the first foreign manager to win a World Cup medal since George Raynor, who lost the 1958 final to Brazil while in charge of Sweden.

However, the former Chelsea boss had to survive another late scare to secure a podium finish, with France fighting back from a 4-0 half-time deficit to make it 4-3 heading into the last five minutes of regulation time. Despite Les Bleus’ valiant attempt to turn the game on its head, England locked in their best World Cup finish since winning the title on home soil in 1966.

Jude Bellingham helped stave off fears of another heartbreak by notching up a delightful solo goal to put the final nail in France’s coffin. With seven goals, the Real Madrid midfielder set a new national record for goals scored at a single World Cup, overtaking Kane and Lineker.

Mbappe & Olise Make History Despite France’s Loss

France’s chances of winning another World Cup medal seemed all but gone at half-time, only for Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise to drag Les Bleus back into contention with a stunning second-half display. Mbappe entered the game as the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside Lionel Messi, and he needed less than 20 minutes to put clear daylight between himself and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate.

His quick-fire second-half double made him the first player to hit double figures at a single World Cup since German legend Gerd Müller in 1970, taking his tournament tally to ten goals. With 22 goals at the finals, the 27-year-old forward is now the all-time leading scorer in the competition, steering one clear of the Argentina captain, who’ll have his last chance to return to the top later today.

Much of that was made possible by Michael Olise’s creativity. Although the skilled winger finished his maiden World Cup appearance without a goal, he made history with two second-half assists, eclipsing Pele’s record by taking his tournament tally to seven. Olise also became the first player to register at least two assists in four different matches during the same World Cup.

Trump Pours Gasoline on Fire with Infantino Praise

United States president Donald Trump doesn’t know when to quit. Just as the controversy surrounding FIFA’s scandalous decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s suspension started to fade, Trump added fresh fuel to the fire by lavishing praise on Gianni Infantino.

Despite previously confirming his involvement in FIFA’s decision-making process, one of the most powerful men on earth doubled down by hailing Infantino’s role in one of the most controversial World Cups ever staged. In another headline-grabbing media appearance, Trump described this summer’s tournament as one of the best ever, saying: ‘This has been a tournament like no other. Filled with fierce competition, unforgettable moments – probably the most unforgettable is when they gave that gentleman… Is it a red card?’

He then moved the conversation onto Balogun’s red card, explaining his unprecedented dialogue with Infantino. ‘I was forced to call Gianni and just make a recommendation. I said, ‘Gianni, I’d like to make a recommendation. Let the guy in the game.’ No, I didn’t say that. I said, ‘I’d like to make a complaint.’ And actually, I didn’t, I had no idea what was going to happen, but it’s so much better the way it worked out because there’s no controversy.’