Bukayo Saka had the best of his international career as England beat France 6-4 in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming only the fourth England player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup and the first to do so in the finals since Sir Geoff Hurst’s feat 60 years ago.Despite early doubts over Noni Madueke’s start to the tournament, Saka became England’s most potent weapon, finishing the World Cup with three goals and three assists in just 361 minutes. His performance in Miami confirmed what many fans had been arguing about throughout the season.The Arsenal striker scored twice in the second half before completing a hat-trick late in the second half, boosting England to their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966 and ensuring Thomas Tuchel’s side finished the tournament with a bronze medal.For Saka, it was a game that put him alongside some of the biggest names in English football history.
England is racing to become the leading scorer
England started well in Miami. Declan Rice opened the scoring within three minutes before Ezri Konsa added to the lead in the 18th minute as France battled England’s resilience.Saka took center stage, his first goal coming in the 37th minute after combining well with Marcus Rashford. Although French midfielder Mike Maignan missed his first effort, Saka was quick to convert and make it 3-0.England did not finish before the break.
England’s Declan Rice, right, congratulates Bukayo Saka (7) after he scored his third goal of the game from a penalty kick during the World Cup third-round match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Midway through the first half, Konsa became instrumental after driving forward in defense and picking out Saka, who finished clinically to give England a stunning 4-0 half-time lead.It was a faultless opening 45 minutes for Tuchel’s side, who looked set to end the contest prematurely.
France threatened to return before Saka made history
France responded immediately after half-time. Kylian Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute and Bradley Barcola added six minutes later to reduce England’s lead to 4-2.Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute, bringing France within one goal at 4-3 and setting the tone after what appeared to be a one-sided contest.England got a break at the end of the match.After Malo Gusto collided with Djed Spence in the penalty area at the end, Jude Bellingham initially looked set to take the goal but generously handed the role to Saka, recognizing the opportunity for his team-mate to complete his hat-trick. Saka went ahead in the 87th minute and sent the striker calmly the wrong way from the spot to seal the 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 team’s fifth goal from a penalty during the World Cup third-round match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Although Ousmane Dembélé scored from deep to make it 5-4, substitute Jude Bellingham rounded off the scoring late on as England won 6-4.The performance added to the controversy surrounding England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina, where the fit Saka was left as an unused substitute in the 2-1 loss. Thomas Tuchel later admitted that he “just felt it” using different methods, an idea that drew criticism from many people.
A hat-trick that rewrites England’s history
Saka’s treble secured his place in one of the most special leagues in English football.He became the fourth England player to score a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup, joining:
- Sir Geoff Hurst (1966 World Cup Final vs West Germany)
- Gary Lineker (1986 team vs Poland)
- Harry Kane (2018 team vs Panama)
- Bukayo Saka (2026 third playoff vs France)
While Lineker and Kane completed their hat-tricks in the group stages, Saka came on during the game.That distinction sets him apart from any other England player.Sir Geoff Hurst 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 sixty years, no England player has achieved a World Cup hat-trick again.Now, exactly 60 years later, Saka has equaled the world’s oldest World Cup record.
Crowned one of the best seasons of his career
The performance also led to a successful campaign for club and country.Saka has now provided 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, helping Arsenal win their first trophy in 22 years before becoming England’s leading player at the World Cup.His hat-trick also took England to 17 international goals and six goals at the 2026 World Cup, cementing him as one of the tournament’s most determined players even in limited minutes.
England’s Bukayo Saka (7) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup third-round match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Saka himself admitted that he was keen to play a bigger role in the knock-out stages, leaving the “what ifs” of the England campaign, especially for his performance in the third leg.Perhaps even more so, England ended their long wait to reach the finals of football’s greatest competition.After losing third place to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018 after a semi-final exit, the Three Lions avoided another upset to take the bronze medal, their best World Cup finish since 1966.
Harry Kane (9) of England reacts with teammates, from left, Reece James (24), Djed Spence (25), Anthony Gordon (18), Bukayo Saka (7), Declan Rice (4) and Ezri Konsa (2) during the third World Cup playoff match between France and England in Miami Gardens, July 2/21, (AP Blackwell)
The match will be remembered as one of the greatest third matches in World Cup history, producing 10 goals and a number of stunning conversions.But above all, it belonged to Bukayo Saka.Sixty years after Sir Geoff Hurst made his name for England at Wembley, another England player has now joined the company, scoring a World Cup hat-trick that will rank among the greatest in the history of the country’s football.
