What is a hat trick?

A hat trick is when a single player scores three goals in one match. It doesn’t matter how the goals are scored — headers, tap-ins, long-range screamers, or penalties all count. As long as one player puts the ball in the net three times in the same game, that’s a hat trick.

Where does the term come from?

The phrase has a surprising origin. In cricket during the 1850s, a bowler took three wickets in three consecutive balls and was given a collection — a hat passed around the crowd to collect money as a reward. The term “hat trick” stuck and spread to other sports, including football.

Some people also link it to a tradition where clubs would give the player a match ball to keep after scoring three goals. That tradition still exists today — you’ll often see a player walking off with the ball tucked under their arm after a hat trick performance.

Does it have to be three consecutive goals?

No. The goals don’t need to come one after another. A player can score in the 10th, 55th, and 89th minute — with other players scoring in between — and it still counts as a hat trick. The only requirement is that the same player scores exactly three (or more) goals in the same match.

What about perfect hat tricks?

A perfect hat trick is a special version where a player scores one goal with their left foot, one with their right foot, and one with their head. It’s considered the most complete display of goal-scoring ability because it shows versatility across different finishing methods.

Not every hat trick is perfect. Most hat tricks involve a mix of methods, and they’re celebrated just the same. But a perfect hat trick earns extra praise from pundits and fans.

Hat trick vs brace vs double

If a player scores two goals in one match, that’s called a brace. It’s a common occurrence and still impressive, but it doesn’t carry the same weight as a hat trick. You’ll hear commentators say “he’s on a brace” or “she’s bagged a brace tonight.”

There’s no widely used term for four goals in a match, though some call it a haul. Five goals is sometimes called a glut or simply “five goals” — at that point, the numbers speak for themselves.

Famous hat tricks in football history

Here are some of the most memorable hat tricks:

  • Geoff Hurst (1966 World Cup Final) — The only hat trick ever scored in a World Cup final. England beat West Germany 4-2, and Hurst’s third goal — which crashed off the crossbar and bounced down near the goal line — remains one of the most debated moments in football history.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo (multiple Champions League nights) — Ronaldo holds the record for most hat tricks in Champions League history. His ability to score three or more in big matches made him the ultimate big-game player.

  • Lionel Messi (countless occasions) — Messi has scored over 50 career hat tricks across La Liga, Champions League, and international football. His consistency is unmatched.

  • Kylian Mbappé (2022 World Cup Final) — Mbappé scored a hat trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, becoming only the second player to do so. France still lost on penalties, making it one of the most bittersweet hat tricks in history.

Why is a hat trick such a big deal?

Scoring once in a professional football match is hard. Most matches end with fewer than three total goals, so for one player to score three is genuinely exceptional. A hat trick often decides the outcome of a match and is almost always the headline story.

Players who score hat tricks regularly — like Haaland, Mbappé, or Salah — are considered elite because it shows they can finish chances consistently under pressure, not just poach one lucky goal.

Can a hat trick happen in other ways?

Yes. The term is sometimes loosely used in other contexts:

  • A goalkeeper saving three penalties in a shootout is sometimes called a hat trick of saves, though this is informal usage.
  • Three assists by one player is occasionally called a hat trick of assists, though this is rare.

The standard meaning in football always refers to three goals scored by one player in a single match.

Common questions

Does a hat trick need to be in the same half?

No. Goals can come in the first half, second half, or even extra time. As long as they’re in the same match, it counts.

What if a player scores four goals?

Four goals is sometimes called a haul, but there’s no official term. The player still gets the match ball and the headlines.

Are penalties included in a hat trick?

Yes. If a player scores two goals from open play and one from a penalty, it’s still a hat trick. A perfect hat trick, however, typically refers to left foot, right foot, and head — not penalties.

What’s the fastest hat trick in football history?

The Guinness World Record is held by Tommy Ross, who scored three goals in 90 seconds for Ross County in 1964. In modern football, Sadio Mané scored the fastest Premier League hat trick in 2 minutes and 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015.