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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 at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 19, 2026
· 5 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — England and France delivered a thriller in a World Cup match that was supposed to be an afterthought.A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian ...
Key takeaway A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian Mbappé and France 6-4 in a wild third-place game.
Why this matters in The Midland
For Midland residents who tuned in to the World Cup third-place match, the thrilling 6-4 England victory over France was a welcome distraction from the summer heat. As the Permian Basin's own sports fans know, a high-scoring game can be a rare treat, and this match did not disappoint. The fact that it was the highest-scoring World Cup game in over 40 years only added to the excitement. While the match may not have had direct local implications, it's a reminder that even in a community focused on local sports like Friday night football, there's a world of athletic competition beyond the basin. As England coach Thomas Tuchel looks to build on his team's success, Midland's own coaches and athletes can take note of the importance of perseverance and strategic decision-making, even in the face of tough competition.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — England and France delivered a thriller in a World Cup match that was supposed to be an afterthought.A day before Lionel Messi and Argentina were set to try and defend their title in a highly anticipated final, Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England past Kylian ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ALANIS THAMES at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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