Bukayo Saka joins exclusive England World Cup hat-trick club after breaking 60-year record

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England’s Bukayo Saka (7) celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal from the penalty spot during the World Cup third place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Bukayo Saka produced the best performance of his international career as England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place extraordinary play-off to become only the fourth England player ever to score a hat-trick at the World Cup and the first to do so in the knockout stages of the tournament since Sir Geoff Hurst’s iconic feat 60 years ago.Despite initial fitness doubts that saw Noni Madueke start ahead of him at the start of the tournament, Saka eventually emerged as England’s most effective attacking weapon, finishing the World Cup with three goals and three assists in just 361 minutes. His impact in Miami underscored what many fans argued about during the playoffs.The Arsenal winger scored twice before half-time before completing his treble from the penalty spot late in the second half to inspire England to their highest World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966 and ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side finished the tournament with a bronze medal.For Saka, it was a performance that placed him alongside some of the biggest names in English football history.

England took the lead

England got off to a perfect start in Miami. Declan Rice opened the scoring three minutes before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th minute as France struggled to match England’s intensity.Saka then took center stage, scoring his first goal in the 37th minute after a neat combination with Marcus Rashford. Although French goalkeeper Mike Maignan initially kept out his first effort, Saka was quickest to react, converting the rebound to make it 3-0.England were not done by the break.

England’s Declan Rice, right, congratulates Bukayo Saka (7) after scoring his third goal of the game from the penalty spot during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Konsa turned provider after bursting out of defense to pick out Saka, who finished clinically to give England a remarkable 4-0 half-time lead.It was an almost faultless opening 45 minutes for Tuchel’s side, who looked like the game was over before the break.

France threaten a comeback before Saka seals history

France responded just after half-time. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola added another six minutes later to cut England’s lead to 4-2.Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute to put France 4-3 up and set up a nervy finish to what once looked like a one-sided contest.England finally regained some breathing room late in the match.After Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the penalty area in the closing stages, Jude Bellingham initially looked set to pounce on the spot-kick but generously passed the onus to Saka as he recognized his team-mate’s opportunity to complete the hat-trick. Saka stepped up in the 87th minute and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to seal his hat-trick and restore England’s two-goal lead.

England’s Bukayo Saka (7) is congratulated by Jude Bellingham (10) and Reece James (24) after scoring his team’s 5th goal from the penalty spot during the World Cup third place soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Sweets)Lynne

Although Ousmane Dembélé scored deep into the break to make it 5-4, substitute Jude Bellingham rounded off the scoring moments later as England secured a dramatic 6-4 victory.The performance only intensified the debate surrounding England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina, where Saka remained fully fit as an unused substitute in the 2-1 loss. Thomas Tuchel later admitted that he “just had a feeling” about using different tactical options, a decision that drew widespread criticism from supporters.

A hat-trick that rewrites England’s history

Sak’s heights have secured him a place in one of the most exclusive groups in English football.He became only the fourth England player ever to score a hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup, joining:

  • Sir Geoff Hurst (1966 World Cup Final vs West Germany)
  • Gary Lineker (1986 group stage vs Poland)
  • Harry Kane (2018 group stage vs Panama)
  • Bukayo Saka (2026 for third place in the play-off vs. France)

While Lineker and Kane achieved their hat-tricks during the group stage, Saka’s came during the knockout stages of the tournament.That distinction puts him alongside the only other English player.Sir Geoff Hurst famously scored the only hat-trick ever recorded in a men’s World Cup final as England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley in 1966.For six decades, no England player has managed another World Cup knockout hat-trick.Now, exactly 60 years later, Saka has equaled one of the country’s most famous World Cup records.

He is crowning one of the best seasons of his career

The performance also capped an excellent campaign for club and country.Saka has now contributed 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, helping Arsenal win their first league title in 22 years, before becoming England’s standout attacking player at the World Cup.His hat-trick also took England to 17 international goals and six goals at the 2026 World Cup, cementing his status as one of the tournament’s most decisive players despite limited minutes.

England’s Bukayo Saka (7) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup third-place soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Saka himself later admitted he had longed to play a bigger role earlier in the knockout stages, leaving a lingering “what if” over England’s campaign, especially given his decisive influence in the third-place play-off.Perhaps just as significantly, England finally ended their long wait for a place on the podium at football’s biggest tournament.After losing to Italy in the third-place play-off and Belgium in 2018 after semi-final exits, the Three Lions avoided further disappointment to claim the bronze medal and secure their best World Cup finish since 1966.

England’s Harry Kane (9) gestures next to teammates, from left, Reece James (24), Djed Spence (25), Anthony Gordon (18), Bukayo Saka (7), Declan Rice (4) and Ezri Konsa (2) during the World Cup third-place soccer match between France and England, Saturday, July 26, in AP18, Fla. Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The match itself will be remembered as one of the greatest third-place play-offs in World Cup history, featuring 10 goals and several dramatic swings.But above all it belonged to Bukayo Saka.Sixty years after Sir Geoff Hurst etched his name into English folklore at Wembley, another England striker has now joined that exclusive company, producing a World Cup hat-trick that will go down as one of the greatest individual feats in the history of national football.