10 Best FIFA World Cup Hat-Trick Scorers In History | 2021 Updates
October 19, 2021 By Sourav
The excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was like never before. All the football fans around the world wait for four years to take the thrill of their favorite teams participating in this grand event. The level of performance, gameplay, and expectation is always high from each player in the tournament since its inauguration. But when someone scores a hat-trick in the World Cup, it places a permanent mark in football history. So, let's take a look at the greatest FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers of all time.
Best FIFA World Cup Hat-Trick Scorers In History
Interestingly, the word 'hat-trick' came into being from its original usage in the 19th century when it referred to the presentation of a new hat or its equivalent by a club to its bowler for taking three successive wickets. The term soon started to be used in the regular life of people as well. In sports, a hat trick is considered a veritable success in the course of the match.
1. Geoff Hurst
England and West Germany came face to face in the final match of the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. A total of 96,924 spectators witnessed that final at the Wembley Stadium on 30th July 1966.
English football legend Geoff Hurst displayed a glorious performance and scored three marvelous goals in 18, 98, and 120 minutes of gameplay against West Germany that day.
And, that feat made him the greatest FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorer. Besides, The hat-trick of Geoff Hurst remains the only hat-trick scored in any world cup final till now.
With that unforgettable hat-trick, England won the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final against West Germany by a 4-2 score in added time. One of the best football referees, Gottfried Dienst, officiated the final match of the World Cup that year.
2. Ademir
A total of 138,886 spectators attended the semi-final of the 1950 FIFA World Cup played between Brazil and Sweden. Situated in Rio de Janeiro, Estádio do Maracanã hosted the match on 9th July 1950.
Brazilian football legend Ademir scored four brilliant goals against Sweden in the 17th, 36th, 52nd, and 58th minutes of the match. With that feat, he secured his place among the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers.
He helped the Brazilian side to win the semifinal with an unbelievable 7-1 score. As a fact, English referee Arthur Ellis officiated that game which saw a great saga of a great footballer.
3. Pelé
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Pelé, represented the Brazilian squad in the 1958 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France. 27,100 spectators witnessed his skill at the Råsunda Stadium in Solna, Sweden, on 24th June 1958.
He scored three spectacular goals in the 52nd, 64th, and 75th minutes of the game against France that day.
His performance helped the Brazilian world cup squad to achieve an amazing 5-2 victory against France. Besides, that performance also secured his place as one of the greatest FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers. As an interesting fact, Wales referee Benjamin Griffiths officiated that brilliant match.
4. Oldřich Nejedlý
Czechoslovakia faced Germany in the Semi-final of the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Situated in the beautiful city of Rome, Stadio Nazionale PNF hosted that semifinal on 3rd June 1934.
In front of 15,000 spectators, Czechoslovakian national footballer Oldřich Nejedlý displayed a brilliant performance. He scored three marvelous goals in the 19th, 71st, and 80th minutes of gameplay against Germany that day.
That feat earned him his place among the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers. Officiated by Italian referee Rinaldo Barlassina, Czechoslovakia defeated Germany in the 1934 FIFA World Cup Semi-final by 3-1.
5. Pedro Cea
Brazilian referee Gilberto de Almeida Rêgo officiated the 1930 FIFA World Cup Semi-final between Uruguay and Yugoslavia. Besides, 79,867 spectators witnessed that brilliant match in the Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, on 27th July 1930.
But, the most thrilling moment of that day came when Uruguayan national footballer Pedro Cea scored three marvelous goals in the 18th, 67th, and 72nd minute in his home country.
That jaw-dropping display helped the Uruguayan side to achieve an unforgettable 6-1 victory against Yugoslavia that day. Besides, Pedro's performance that day also marked his spot in the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers.
6. Just Fontaine
France and West Germany faced each other at the third-place playoff of the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. And, 32,483 spectators witnessed that game in the Ullevi stadium at Gothenburg on 28th June 1958.
Argentine referee Brozzi officiated that high-tension match where French footballer Just Fontaine scored four marvelous goals.
He scored in the 16th, 36th, 78th, and 89th minutes of the game where France defeated West Germany by a 6-3 score. Besides, that feat also marked his spot among the greatest FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers of all time.
7. Eusébio
Portugal and North Korea came face to face at the Quarter-final of the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. Portuguese national footballer Eusébio displayed brilliant skills in front of 40,248 spectators at Goodison Park in Liverpool on 23rd July 1966.
Besides, Portugal also defeated North Korea by 5-3 that day on his way to the semifinal.
Eusébio scored in the 27th, 43rd, 56th, and 59th minutes of that match which made him one of the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers in history. As a must-know fact, Israeli referee Menachem Ashkenazi officiated that high-tension game.
8. Josef Hügi
Austria faced the host nation in the quarterfinal match of the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland. Witnessed by 35,000 spectators, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne hosted that brilliant quarterfinal game on 26th June 1954.
And, Swiss national footballer Josef Hügi secured his place in the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers list on that match.
He scored thrice in the 17th, 19th, and 58th minutes during his brilliant performance. But surprisingly, Austra won that match by a 7-5 score. Scottish referee Charlie Faultless officiated that full-of-twist quarterfinal game.
9. Theodor Wagner
Austria and the host nation came face to face at the 1954 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in Switzerland. Hosted by Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, 35,000 spectators witnessed two brilliant hat-tricks that day which secured places for both the player in the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers list.
Scottish referee Charlie Faultless officiated that match as we already know.
Besides Josef Hügi, Austrian football legend Theodor Wagner also scored a hat-trick that day. He scored thrice in the 25th, 27th, and 53rd minute of the match where Austria defeated Switzerland by 7-5.
10. Harry Andersson
Only 7,000 spectators witnessed the quarterfinal match of the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France. But, something very interesting happened in that match between Sweden and Cuba at the Stade du Fort Carré on 12th June 1938.
Swedish national footballer Harry Andersson scored three marvelous goals in the 9th, 81st, and 89th minutes of the quarterfinal game which marked his spot among the best FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers.
Czechoslovakian referee Augustin Krist officiated the match where Sweden trashed Cuba by the 8-0 score. Undoubtedly, this match will remain one of the most-scored matches in world cup history.
Honorable Mention: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely one of the talked-after names in the football world during the twenty-first century. Starting from his legacy at the club level to his international contribution, he always proved his worth for his teams.
Besides, he also achieved the prestigious Ballon d’Or award five times, a feat only surpassed by one of the highest-paid soccer players Lionel Messi.
CR7 scored a brilliant hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played a brilliant group-stage match on 15th June 2018 against the Spanish team and scored three goals.
He scored his first goal from a penalty at the 4th minute followed by his second goal at the 44th minute. Cristiano then scored his third and final goal in the 88th minute of the game.
Best FIFA World Cup Hat-Trick Scorers - Infographics
Conclusion
Hat tricks have managed to create many exciting moments in the history of sports. These are not always easy to achieve, nor can they be planned beforehand. It’s also true that a hat trick or two does not ensure that the team will win. But, it definitely enhances the condition of the team and gives it the confidence to take the opponent down. More to add up in the list of FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers, do mention in the comments below.
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