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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 Los Angeles (KNBC)
· 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 Los Angeles
For Angelenos who follow the English Premier League, Bukayo Saka's hat trick is a notable achievement, given the large following of Premier League teams in the Los Angeles area. The city's diverse population, with a significant number of expatriates and fans of international football, likely had many watching the match with interest. The high-scoring game, with its 10 goals, would have been entertaining for the local fans who appreciate offense in their football. Additionally, the fact that Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi's career tournament scoring record may spark discussions among local football enthusiasts, comparing the two players' skills and achievements. As the World Cup comes to a close, Los Angeles fans will be looking forward to seeing how their favorite Premier League players perform in the upcoming season, with Saka's impressive display likely to generate buzz among local supporters.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
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 Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alanis Thames | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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