Bukayo Saka joins England’s exclusive World Cup hat-trick club after breaking 60-year-old record | Football news

England’s Bukayo Saka (7) celebrates scoring his team’s 5th goal from a penalty kick during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., 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 an extraordinary 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place play-off, becoming only the fourth English player to score a World Cup hat-trick and the first to do so in the knockout stages of the tournament since Sir Geoff Hurst’s iconic feat 60 years ago.Despite early fitness doubts that saw Noni Madueke start ahead of him earlier in the tournament, Saka eventually became 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 discussed during the knockout rounds.The Arsenal winger scored twice before half-time before completing his treble from the penalty spot late in the second half, inspiring England to their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966 and ensuring 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 race into the lead

England got off to a perfect start in Miami. Declan Rice opened the scoring inside three minutes before Ezri Konsa doubled the lead in the 18th minute as France struggled to cope with England’s intensity.Saka then came into the center, the first goal arrived in the 37th minute after a nice combination with Marcus Rashford. Although French goalkeeper Mike Maignan initially held out his first attempt, Saka was the quickest to react and convert the rebound to make it 3-0.England were not done before 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, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Konsa turned provider after driving forward from the defense and teeing up Saka, who finished clinically to give England an incredible 4-0 half-time lead.It was an almost flawless first 45 minutes for Tuchel’s side, who looked like the contest was over before the break.

France threaten a comeback before Saka seals history

France hit back just after halftime. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola added another six minutes later to reduce England’s lead to 4-2.Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute to bring France within one goal at 4-3 and set up a nervy finish to what once looked like a one-sided battle.England finally got some breathing room back late in the game.After Malo Gusto fouled Ded Spence in the box in the closing stages, Jude Bellingham initially looked ready to take the spot-kick but generously let Saka take charge, recognizing the opportunity for his team-mate to complete the hat-trick. In the 87th minute, Saka stepped out from the penalty spot and calmly sent the goalkeeper to the wrong side and recorded a three-pointer and restored England’s two-goal advantage.

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 playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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

With a hat-trick, Saka secured his place in one of the most exclusive groups in English football.He became only the fourth English men’s player to score a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup, joining:

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

Crowning one of the best seasons of his career

The performance also capped a remarkable campaign for club and country.Saka has now scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions this season, helping Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years before becoming England’s best striker at the World Cup.His hat-trick also took his tally for 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 playing limited minutes.

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

Saka himself later admitted he was keen to play a bigger role earlier in the knockout stages, leaving lingering “what ifs” during England’s campaign, especially given his decisive impact in the third-place play-off.Perhaps just as significantly, England finally ended their long wait for a podium at football’s biggest tournament.After losing in the third-place play-off to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018 following a semi-final exit, the Three Lions avoided another disappointment to win the bronze medal, securing 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 playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The match itself will be remembered as one of the greatest play-offs for third place in World Cup history, with 10 goals and several dramatic changes in momentum.But above all, he belonged to Bukayo Saki.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 rank among the best individual performances in the nation’s footballing history.