Bukayo Saka produced the best performance of his international career as England defeated France 6-4 in an extraordinary 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place play-off, becoming only the fourth England player ever to score a hat-trick at 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 before the tournament, Saka eventually 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 underscored what many fans had discussed during the playoffs.The Arsenal winger scored twice before half-time before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot late in the second half, inspiring England to their highest World Cup finish since the trophy in 1966 and ensuring Thomas Tuchel’s side finished the tournament with the bronze medal.For Saka, it was a performance that put him alongside some of the biggest names in English football history.
England raced into a commanding lead
England got off to the 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 took center stage, his first goal coming in the 37th minute, after combining well with Marcus Rashford. Although French goalkeeper Mike Maignan initially kept out his first effort, Saka reacted quickest to convert the rebound and make it 3-0.England were not finished 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 soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
In first-half stoppage time, Konsa turned provider after driving from the defense and picked out Saka, who finished clinically to give England a remarkable 4-0 half-time lead.It was an almost flawless opening 45 minutes for Tuchel’s side, who looked to have the contest wrapped up before the break.
France threatens to hit back before Saka makes history
France responded immediately after half time. 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, bringing France within a goal at 4-3 and putting a nervy finish to what once looked like a one-sided contest.England finally got some breathing space late in the match.After Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the penalty area in the closing stages, Jude Bellingham initially looked set to take the point but generously handed the onus to Saka, recognizing the opportunity for his team-mate to complete a hat-trick. Saka stepped forward 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, 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 moments later as England secured a dramatic 6-4 victory.The performance only intensified the debate surrounding England’s semi-final defeat in Argentina, where a fully fit Saka was left as an unused substitute in the 2-1 loss. Thomas Tuchel later admitted he “just had a feeling” to use different tactical options, a decision which drew widespread criticism from supporters.
A hat-trick that rewrites the history of England
Saka’s treble secured his place in one of the most exclusive groups in English football.He became only the fourth male England player ever to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup, joining:
- Sir Geoff Hurst (1966 World Cup final vs West Germany)
- Gary Lineker (1986 group stage against Poland)
- Harry Kane (group stage 2018 vs Panama)
- Bukayo Saka (2026 third place playoff vs. France)
While Lineker and Kane achieved their hat-tricks during the group stage, Saka’s came during the knockout stages of the tournament.This distinction puts him alongside only one other English player.Sir Geoff Hurst scored the only hat-trick ever recorded in a men’s World Cup final when England defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley in 1966.For six decades, no English player had managed another World Cup knockout hat-trick.Now, exactly 60 years later, Saka has achieved one of the country’s most celebrated World Cup records.
It crowns one of the best seasons of his career
The performance also capped an outstanding 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 striker at the World Cup.His hat-trick also took his England to 17 international goals and six goals at the 2026 World Cup, reinforcing his status as one of the most decisive players at the tournament despite limited minutes.
England’s Bukayo Saka (7) celebrates 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 been eager to play a bigger role earlier in the knockout stages, leaving a lingering ‘what if’ over England’s campaign, particularly given his decisive impact in the third playoff spot.Perhaps just as significantly, England finally ended a long wait for a podium at football’s biggest tournament.After missing out on third place in Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018 after exiting in the semi-finals, the Three Lions avoided another disappointment to claim the bronze medal, securing their best World Cup finish since 1966.
England’s Harry Kane (9) gestures 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 World Cup third-place soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The match itself will be remembered as one of the greatest third-place playoffs in the history of the World Cup, producing 10 goals and several dramatic swings of momentum.But above all, it belongs to Bukayo Saka.Sixty years after Sir Geoff Hurst etched his name into English folklore at Wembley, another England striker has joined that exclusive company, producing a World Cup hat-trick that will rank among the greatest individual performances in the nation’s football history.