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The 2018 FIFA World Cup was filled with excitement like no other. Football fans around the world eagerly await this event every four years to take the thrill of their favorite teams playing. Since the tournament’s inception, every player has performed at a high level, played well, and has high expectations. It is an indelible mark in football history for someone to score three goals at the World Cup. Check out the greatest hat-trick scorers from the FIFA World Cup.
Best FIFA World Cup Hat-Trick Scorers In History
1. Geoff Hurst
2. Ademir
3. Pelé
4. Oldřich Nejedlý
5. Pedro Cea
6. Just Fontaine
7. Eusébio
8. Josef Hügi
9. Theodor Wagner
10. Harry Andersson
Honorable Mention: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best FIFA World Cup Hat-Trick Scorers In History In its original usage in the 19th century, the word “hat-trick” referred to a club awarding a hat or its equivalent to a bowler who took three consecutive wickets. Over time, people began using the term in their everyday lives as well. Sports fans consider a hat trick to be a significant achievement in the match.
1. Geoff Hurst During the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, England faced West Germany in the final match. On 30th July 1966, 96,924 spectators gathered at Wembley Stadium to witness that final. In 18, 98, and 120 minutes of play against West Germany, the legendary footballer Geoff Hurst scored three splendid goals. Thus, he became the most successful hat-trick scorer in the history of FIFA World Cups. Furthermore, Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick remains the only one ever scored in a world cup final. That memorable hat-trick helped England to a 4-2 victory against West Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. The final match of the World Cup that year was officiated by Gottfried Dienst, one of the best football referees.
2. Ademir At the semi-final match between Brazil and Sweden, 138,886 spectators turned out. In 1950, the match was held at the Estádio do Maracan* in Rio de Janeiro. In the 17th, 36th, 52nd, and 58th minutes of the match, the legendary Brazilian footballer Ademir scored four goals in one minute. The goal solidified his position as one of the best hat-trick scorers in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The 7-1 score in the semifinals helped the Brazilian team to win. Arthur Ellis was the referee for that game that saw the story of a great footballer.
3. Pelé In the 1958 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France, Pelé represented the Brazilian national team. On the 24th of June 1958 in Solna, Sweden, 27100 spectators witnessed his skill at Pele Stadium At the end of that day’s game against France, he scored three goals in a row. Brazil won 5-2 against France thanks to his performance in the world cup. This performance also firmly established his status as one of the greatest hat-trick scorers of all time. A fascinating fact about that game was that Wales referee Benjamin Griffiths handled it.
4. Oldřich Nejedlý During the 1934 FIFA World Cup in Italy, Czechoslovakia faced Germany in the semi-final. On June 3rd 1934, Stadio Nazionale PNF, located in Rome, hosted the semifinal. Czechoslovak national footballer Oldřich Nejedlý performed brilliantly before 15,000 spectators. Against Germany that day, he scored three brilliant goals in the 19th, 71st, and 80th minutes of play. The goal earned him a spot in the top hat-trick scorers at the FIFA World Cup. It was Italian referee Rinaldo Barlassina who officiated the 1934 semifinal match between Czechoslovakia and Germany.
5. Pedro Cea Uruguay and Yugoslavia’s 1930 FIFA World Cup semifinal was officiated by Brazilian referee Gilberto de Almeida Rêgo. On the 27th July 1930, there were 79,867 spectators at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo to witness that outstanding match. Most thrilling of all, though, was the Uruguayan footballer Pedro Cea scoring 3 epic goals in his native country, one in the 18th minute, two in the 67th minute, and one in the 72nd minute. The Uruguayans were able to achieve a memorable 6-1 victory against Yugoslavia thanks to that breathtaking display. Moreover, Pedro’s performance that day placed him among the top FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers.
6. Just Fontaine The third-place playoff between France and West Germany was held in Sweden in 1958. A crowd of 32,483 spectators watched the game at Gothenburg’s Ullevi stadium on 28th June 1958. Four marvellous goals were scored by Just Fontaine in a high-tension match refereed by Argentine Brozzi. France defeated West Germany 6-3 thanks to his goals in the 16th, 36th, 78th, and 89th minutes. Furthermore, it made him one of the greatest hat-trick scorers in FIFA World Cup history.
7. Eusébio The 1966 FIFA World Cup Quarter-final in England saw Portugal and North Korea face off. On 23rd July 1966, Eusébio displayed brilliant skills while playing at Goodison Park in Liverpool. As well as beating North Korea by 5-3 on that day, Portugal also made it to the semifinals. As a result of his goals in the 27th, 43rd, 56th, and 59th minutes of that match, Eusébio is one of the greatest FIFA World Cup hat-trick scorers in history. There’s a must-know fact about that high-tension game: Menachem Ashkenazi was the referee for it.
8. Josef Hügi In the 1954 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match in Switzerland, Austria faced the host nation. The 26th June 1954 quarterfinal game was played at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne in front of 35,000 spectators. On that day, Swiss national footballer Josef Hügi scored a hat-trick to earn a place in the FIFA World Cup’s best goalscorers list. During his outstanding performance, he scored three goals in the 17th, 19th, and 58th minutes. The match was won by Austra by 7-5. This quarterfinal game was refereed by Scottish referee Charlie Faultless.
9. Theodor Wagner During the 1954 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals in Switzerland, Austria and the host nation faced off. The Olympic Stadium in Lausanne played host to the match, which saw 35,000 spectators witness two brilliant hat-tricks, which earned both players places in the list of players with the most hat-tricks during the FIFA World Cup. We know from previous experience that Charlie Faultless officiated the game. Josef Hügi was not the only Austrian football legend to score a hat-trick on this day. Austria defeated Switzerland by 7-5 after he scored three goals in the 25th, 27th, and 53rd minutes.
10. Harry Andersson The 1938 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match in France attracted only 7,000 spectators. In that match between Sweden and Cuba on 12th June 1938 at the Stade du Fort Carré, something very interesting happened. Harry Andersson scored hat-tricks in the 9th, 81st, and 89th minutes of his national team’s quarterfinal match, cementing his place among the best hat-trick scorers at the FIFA World Cup. In the match in which Sweden trashed Cuba by an 8-0 score, Czech referee Augustin Krist officiated. There is no doubt that this will go down as one of the highest scoring world cup matches.
Honorable Mention: Cristiano Ronaldo During the twenty-first century, Cristiano Ronaldo has definitely become one of the most talked-about names in football. Throughout his career, he proved his worth to his team’s all the way from the club level to the international level. Aside from this, Messi is only the richest soccer player in the world who has won the Ballon d’Or five times. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain. A brilliant performance against the Spanish team on 15th June 2018 saw him score three goals. His first goal came from a penalty in the fourth minute, followed by his second one in the 44th. During the 88th minute of the game, Cristiano scored his third and final goal.