Wow, I've never seen a score like this in soccer. What is 6 to 4, really?

In the World Cup, you usually see 1, 2, or at most 3 goals combined from both teams, but there were a whopping 10 goals scored. And this was in the third-place match. I can hardly remember a 6:4 game.

Honestly, when you see a score like this, it feels more like a baseball score. How can this be a soccer score? Haha

It was an incredible shootout with ten goals, and I couldn't take my eyes off the game while enjoying a beer on Saturday afternoon.

With the 2026 North American World Cup just waiting for the Sunday final between Spain and Argentina, the third-place match between England and France was truly a gift for soccer fans.

I actually expected the third-place match, held right before the final, to be a bit dull since both teams would be somewhat fatigued.

Looking at the starting lineup, England had Harry Kane (who seemed to be punished for criticizing the coach's tactics) and Bellingham on the bench, while France left out Upamecano and Dembélé.

I thought it might feel like a casual neighborhood game, but to my surprise, England relentlessly attacked France from the very first half.

Just 3 minutes into the first half, Declan Rice launched a long-range shot that seemed to rip the net, followed by a header goal from a corner kick, and Saka and Rashford were all over the place, with Saka scoring two goals in the first half alone. The score at halftime was 4 to 0.

As the French defenders retreated without applying pressure, I thought, "Oh, France has completely given up on this match today."

But as the second half began, the dynamics of the game flipped 180 degrees.

Mbappé received a pass from Olise just 3 minutes into the second half and slotted it into the corner, and 6 minutes later, Barcola added another goal, quickly making it 4 to 2.

Then, in the 21st minute of the second half, Mbappé broke through the defense again, scoring another goal, which was spine-chilling. At 4:0, it seemed over, but suddenly three goals came in succession.

As the score narrowed from 4 to 0 to 4 to 3, the intensity in the players' eyes changed, and the game really heated up.

The pressure and counterattack speed from both sides were incredible.

In the dying moments of the match, in the 42nd minute of the second half, England's Saka successfully converted a penalty kick, completing his hat trick and making it 5 to 3, and I thought it was finally over.

But in the 6 minutes of stoppage time, France's Dembélé scored again, bringing it to 5 to 4.

This was a thrilling flow that perfectly illustrated the saying, "It's not over until it's over."

Ultimately, just before the match ended, Jude Bellingham came on, stole the ball from the defense, and scored a beautiful goal, finishing the game with a final score of 6 to 4, securing third place for England.

Although it wasn't the final with the championship trophy on the line, it was one of the most exciting matches I've seen in the last decade. Every goal was a dramatic moment.

In the meantime, Mbappé scored his 9th and 10th goals of the tournament, effectively reserving the title of World Cup top scorer.

To think he could be the first player to win the top scorer title in consecutive tournaments since the last World Cup in Qatar is truly remarkable. Unless Messi scores a hat trick in the final, Mbappé is likely to take home the Golden Boot, and it will be interesting to see how that unfolds.

Anyway, it was a thrilling weekend, feeling a catharsis while watching soccer in broad daylight.