Harry Kane's message to England teammates after 6-4 World Cup win over France

England icon Harry Kane couldn't help but dwell on Wednesday's devastating loss to Argentina while celebrating during an extraordinary 6-4 victory over France in the third-place match at the FIFA World Cup.

The highest-scoring third-place encounter in World Cup history witnessed England defeat France 6-4 after establishing a four-goal advantage at the break. England's dominant opening prompted France captain Kylian Mbappe to laugh on the pitch, stunned by the spectacle unfolding.

France and Mbappe mounted a comeback, as his double helped restore respectability to the scoreline and pushed him ahead of Lionel Messi in both the Golden Boot standings and all-time rankings. After Bukayo Saka netted England's fifth and sealed his hat-trick, Kane was spotted making reference to Wednesday's elimination.

• Trump interrupts FIFA President to make bitter USMNT World Cup comment

• Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments

Saka bagged a brace late in the opening period, and when England was granted a penalty in the second half, substitute Jude Bellingham passed him the ball. Saka finished into the lower-right corner with four minutes left to extend England's lead to 5-3.

The strike meant Saka became only the fourth England player to register a World Cup treble and also sparked debate about Thomas Tuchel's choice to keep him on the sidelines against Argentina. In Saturday's third-place fixture, Kane was rested for Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.

Kane, the England skipper, still rushed over to join Saka's celebration and praise him from the dugout. He was then observed relaying a message to his England colleagues.

According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, via Covers, Kane was pleased with the display but couldn't resist questioning why it hadn't materialized against Argentina. "Alright. That was some great work. It's a shame we didn't play like this the other day," he said, per Hickling.

England endured one of the most heartbreaking losses in the country's history on Wednesday, as Argentina netted two late strikes to prevail 2-1 and reach the final. Anthony Gordon gave England the advantage after 55 minutes, and that cushion held until the 85th minute.

As England tried to preserve their 1-0 advantage against Argentina, Enzo Fernández leveled the match with a strike from the edge of the area. Messi then floated a delivery to Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time, who drove his header into the back of the goal.

Hopes of a first World Cup final since 1966 evaporated within moments, and abruptly England's journey was finished. It carried particular significance for Kane, who will be 36 when the next World Cup begins in 2030.

Kane's age and disappointment prompted speculation about his possible international retirement, but the England captain rejected such talk and pointed to 39-year-old Messi as motivation. "It's too early to talk about that," Kane said.

"Me as a person, it's always about taking it year by year and how I feel. The national team is my pride and joy. It's what I love to do most, more than anything.

"Obviously, four years is a long way away. I'm 33 in the summer. But, as you see on the other end with Leo (Messi) there, he's still performing at the highest level.

"I never want to put a limit on these things. I'll address every situation as they come, but for now, it's about processing another tough loss with this team."