Bukayo Saka's Hat-Trick Seals England's Best World Cup Finish Since 1966

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England beat France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place match in Miami. It's only the second senior hat-trick of his career, and his first ever at a World Cup.

His first came back in June 2023, for England against North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford. That night he scored three times in a 13-minute spell in a 7-0 win, becoming the youngest England player to score a hat-trick since Theo Walcott in 2008.

This time the goals came in different fashion. Saka struck in the 37th minute, then again right on half-time in first-half stoppage time, before completing his treble from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to put England back in front at 4-3. Jude Bellingham added a fourth soon after, and although Ousmane Dembele pulled one back for France in stoppage time, it wasn't enough to stop England finishing the tournament in third place, their best World Cup finish since they won the trophy in 1966.

Saka has been one of England's most reliable performers for years now. He joined Arsenal's academy at just seven years old and has gone on to become the club's talisman, helping them win the Premier League for the first time in over two decades this season. For England, he made his senior debut back in October 2020 and has become a regular starter under Thomas Tuchel, playing a role in England's run to this World Cup semi-final before the defeat to Argentina.

A hat-trick in a match that decided nothing but pride is still a rare feat. Very few players manage even one senior hat-trick in their career, and Saka has now done it twice, with this one coming on the biggest stage of all.