Jude Bellingham Hands Penalty to Saka in England’s 6-4 Win Over France

Jude Bellingham played a key role in England’s 6-4 World Cup third-place win over France on July 18, 2026, but not in the way many expected. As England prepared for a late penalty, Bellingham grabbed the ball-only to hand it to Bukayo Saka, who converted to complete his hat-trick.

What happened in the penalty moment?

In the 87th minute, England won a penalty after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto. Bellingham, who had entered as a second-half substitute, initially picked up the ball, leading some to assume he would take the kick. Instead, he passed it to Saka, who slotted it home to become just the second England player to score a World Cup knockout hat-trick after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Why did Bellingham defer the penalty?

Saka later clarified that Bellingham had encouraged him to take the penalty, telling him to go for his hat-trick. “Jude was never taking it,” Saka told BBC Sport. “He was the first one to say go and get your hat-trick, so none of them came to distract me. I was always going to take it.”

How did England secure third place?

England’s victory marked their best World Cup finish since 1966, with goals from Saka (three), Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Bellingham himself. Despite the disappointment of losing to Argentina in the semifinals, manager Thomas Tuchel praised the team’s resilience. “We are fiercely competitive, so we almost don’t allow ourselves to be proud of third place,” he said. “But 18 months ago, we set the highest goal.”

What’s next for Bellingham and England?

Bellingham’s selfless act highlighted his leadership, even as a substitute. With England finishing third, the focus now shifts to future tournaments and whether this young squad can build on their success.