What’s a Hat-Trick, Anyway?
Before we dive in, let’s clear up what a hat-trick actually is. In football, it’s when a player scores three goals in a single match. The term comes from cricket, where bowlers used to be awarded a hat if they took three wickets in a row. Over time, it made its way into football, and now it’s one of the most celebrated achievements in the sport.
In the World Cup, hat-tricks are rare gems. Since the tournament began in 1930, there have been only 53 hat-tricks across 22 editions. That’s an average of about two per tournament. So, when a player scores one, you know you’re witnessing something special.
The King of Hat-Tricks: Just Fontaine
When it comes to World Cup hat-tricks, one name stands above the rest: Just Fontaine. The French striker scored an incredible four goals in a single match during the 1958 World Cup. Wait, that’s not a hat-trick, you say? Well, he actually scored two hat-tricks in that tournament alone. Yes, two. In six games.
Fontaine’s first hat-trick came against Paraguay in the group stage, followed by another against West Germany in the third-place match. He finished the tournament with 13 goals, a record that still stands today. Not bad for a player who only got called up because of an injury to another teammate. Talk about making the most of your opportunity!
The Brazilian Brilliance: Pelé and Ronaldo
Brazil has produced some of the greatest footballers of all time, and two of them—Pelé and Ronaldo—have left their mark on World Cup hat-trick history.
Pelé, the undisputed king of football, scored his only World Cup hat-trick in the 1958 semi-final against France. He was just 17 years old at the time, making him the youngest player ever to score a hat-trick in the tournament. Imagine being a teenager and pulling off something like that on the world stage. It’s no wonder he became a global icon.
Fast forward to 1998, and another Brazilian legend, Ronaldo, delivered a hat-trick against Morocco in the group stage. Known as “El Fenómeno,” Ronaldo was at the peak of his powers, combining speed, strength, and skill in a way that few players ever have. His performance was a reminder of why he’s considered one of the greatest strikers of all time.
The Modern Maestros: Miroslav Klose and Thomas Müller
Germany has a knack for producing clinical strikers, and two of their finest—Miroslav Klose and Thomas Müller—have both scored World Cup hat-tricks.
Klose, the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, netted his hat-trick in the 2002 group stage against Saudi Arabia. It was his first World Cup, and he announced himself in style, scoring three goals in just 25 minutes. Not bad for a debut!
Müller, on the other hand, scored his hat-trick in the 2014 group stage against Portugal. It was a performance that showcased his intelligence, movement, and finishing ability. Plus, it helped Germany kick off their campaign with a bang, eventually leading them to their fourth World Cup title.
The Underdog Hero: Oleg Salenko
Some hat-tricks are memorable because of the player, and others are memorable because of the circumstances. Oleg Salenko’s hat-trick in the 1994 World Cup falls into the latter category.
Playing for Russia, Salenko scored five goals in a single match against Cameroon. Yes, five. That’s not just a hat-trick; that’s a double hat-trick with a cherry on top. What makes it even more remarkable is that Salenko wasn’t even a regular starter for Russia. He was a last-minute addition to the squad and ended up sharing the Golden Boot with Hristo Stoichkov. It’s the ultimate underdog story and a reminder that anything can happen in the World Cup.
The Messi Magic
No discussion of World Cup hat-tricks would be complete without mentioning Lionel Messi. While Messi has never scored a hat-trick in the World Cup (yet), he came close in the 2022 tournament with a brace against France in the final. It’s a testament to his greatness that even without a hat-trick, he’s still considered one of the best players in World Cup history.
Why Hat-Tricks Matter
Hat tricks are more than just a statistical achievement; they’re moments of pure footballing magic. They’re the kind of performances that fans remember for decades, whether it’s Fontaine’s four-goal haul, Pelé’s teenage brilliance, or Salenko’s underdog heroics.
They also highlight the individuality of football. In a team sport, a hat trick is a rare moment where one player takes centre stage and delivers something extraordinary. It’s a reminder of why we love the game—because anything can happen, and anyone can become a hero.