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

Bukayo Saka (7) of England celebrates scoring his side’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)

Bukayo Saka produced the best performance of his international career as England beat France 6-4 in an incredible FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff, becoming the fourth English player to score a hat-trick in a 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 early fitness doubts that saw Noni Madueke start ahead of him earlier in the tournament, Saka ultimately emerged as England’s most efficient attacking weapon, finishing the World Cup with three goals and three assists in just 361 minutes. His impact in Miami underscores what many fans have argued throughout 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 highest 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 is leading the leadership race

England made the perfect start in Miami. Declan Rice opened the scoring within three minutes before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage in the 18th minute as France struggled to cope with England’s intensity.Saka then took center stage, his first goal coming in the 37th minute after a neat combination with Marcus Rashford. Although France goalkeeper Mike Maignan initially blocked his first effort, Saka reacted fastest to convert the rebound and 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 from the defense and picking out Saka, who finished clinically to give England an incredible 4-0 halftime lead.It was a near-flawless opening 45 minutes for Tuchel’s side, who seemed to have the contest over before the interval.

France threatened a comeback before Saka sealed history

France responded immediately after halftime. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute before Bradley Barcola added six minutes later to reduce England’s lead to 4-2.Mbappé scored again in the 66th minute, bringing France within a goal at 4-3 and making a nervy finish after what had previously looked like a one-sided contest.England finally regained some breathing space late in the match.After Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence inside the penalty area in the closing stages, Jude Bellingham initially looked to take the spot-kick but generously handed the responsibility to Saka, recognizing his teammate’s opportunity to complete a hat-trick. Saka stepped forward in the 87th minute and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to seal his treble and restore England’s two-goal advantage.

England’s Bukayo Saka (7) is congratulated by Jude Bellingham (10) and Reece James (24) after scoring his side’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 stoppage time to make it 5-4, substitute Jude Bellingham rounded off the scoring minutes later as England secured a dramatic 6-4 victory.The performance only fueled the debate surrounding England’s semifinal loss to Argentina, where a fully fit Saka was left as an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat. Thomas Tuchel later admitted that he “had a feeling” about using different tactical options, a decision that drew widespread criticism from supporters.

Saka’s treble earned him his place in one of the most exclusive groups in English football.He became only the fourth England male player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup, joining:

While Lineker and Kane achieved their hat-tricks in the group stage, Saka reached the knockout stage of the tournament.That distinction puts him alongside only one England 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 England player managed another World Cup knockout hat-trick.Today, exactly 60 years later, Saka has matched one of the country’s most famous World Cup records.

Crowned one of the best seasons of his career

The performance also capped off a fantastic 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 his England tally 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 side’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 that he was eager to play a bigger role earlier in the knockout stages, leaving a lingering “what if” in England’s campaign, especially because of his decisive impact in the third-place playoff.Perhaps just as importantly, England have finally ended their long wait for a podium finish at football’s biggest tournament.After losing the third-place playoff to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018 after a semifinal exit, the Three Lions avoided another disappointment to claim the bronze medal, securing their best World Cup finish since 1966.

Harry Kane (9) of England gestures with his 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, 26 Recca.

The match itself will be remembered as one of the greatest third-place playoffs in World Cup history, producing 10 goals and several dramatic momentum swings.But above all, it belongs to Bukayo Saka.Sixty years after Sir Geoff Hurst etched his name into England folklore at Wembley, another England forward has joined that exclusive company, producing a World Cup hat-trick that will go down as one of the best individual performances in the country’s football history.