'You've Done Us Proud': UK PM Keir Starmer Congratulates England After Historic World Cup Victory

Published 19 July 2026 · sports

'You've Done Us Proud': UK PM Keir Starmer Congratulates England After Historic World Cup Victory Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 09:45 IST FIFA

'You've Done Us Proud': UK PM Keir Starmer Congratulates England After Historic World Cup Victory Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 09:45 IST FIFA World Cup 2026: England's dramatic win capped off their World Cup campaign on a high note. Morgan Rogers for England at the FIFA World Cup 2026 (AP) FIFA World Cup 2026: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the England national football team after they secured a third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stunning 6-4 victory over France in a record-breaking play-off match in Miami. Keri Starmer praised the Three Lions in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Great result tonight @England. You’ve done us proud." England’s dramatic win capped off their World Cup campaign on a high note, with Bukayo Saka producing a sensational hat-trick in what became the highest-scoring third-place play-off in modern World Cup history. The Three Lions appeared to have the contest wrapped up by half-time after racing to a remarkable 4-0 lead. Declan Rice opened the scoring in just the third minute before Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage in the 18th minute.

Saka then took centre stage, scoring twice before the break in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time as France endured one of their worst-ever halves in World Cup football. It marked the first time Les Bleus had conceded four goals in a single half at the tournament. However, France mounted a fierce comeback after the interval. With manager Didier Deschamps overseeing his final match in charge of the national team, France emerged transformed in the second half. Kylian Mbappe sparked the revival with a goal in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further six minutes later. Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute to make it 4-3, leaving England under intense pressure as France threatened to complete a stunning turnaround. The French captain’s second goal also saw him enter the record books. Mbappe’s World Cup tally rose to 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 21 and making him the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history. The brace also strengthened his position in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot with 10 goals.

Just when England looked vulnerable, Saka delivered once again. The Arsenal star converted an 87th-minute penalty to complete his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal cushion. France refused to give up, with Ousmane Dembele finding the net in stoppage time to make it 5-4. But Jude Bellingham had the final word, scoring in the 90+8th minute to seal an unforgettable 6-4 victory. The result secured England the bronze medal and marked the country’s best World Cup finish on foreign soil since their historic triumph in 1966. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What records did Kylian Mbappe break in this World Cup? Kylian Mbappe broke several records during the FIFA World Cup 2026. He became the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi's 21 goals. How does this third-place finish impact England's future in football? England secured a third-place finish in the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating France 6-4 in a high-scoring play-off match.