Bukayo Saka hat-trick leads England to 6-4 World Cup win over France
On July 19, 2026, Bukayo Saka scored a historic hat-trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup match. England started strong, with Declan Rice’s long-range strike in the 3rd minute and Ezri Konsa’s header from a Rice corner making it 2-0 by the 18th minute. Saka then netted three times: from Marcus Rashford’s pass in the 37th minute, a edge‑of‑the‑box shot in first‑half stoppage time, and a penalty in the 87th minute after Malo Gusto conceded a spot kick. France fought back, with Kylian Mbappe scoring early in the second half, assisting Bradley Barcola for a 4‑2 lead, and later combining with Michael Olise to make it 4‑3. Mbappe added France’s third in the 66th minute, and Ousmane Dembele grabbed a late stoppage‑time goal to make it 5‑4, but Jude Bellingham sealed the win with a solo run and finish in the 98th minute. The victory puts Saka among England’s World Cup hat‑trick scorers alongside Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, while Mbappe’s goal moved him past Lionel Messi as the tournament’s all‑time leading scorer with 22 goals. For Nigerian fans, the match highlights the attacking talent on show and raises questions about England’s depth as they advance. Will Saka’s form inspire you to follow England’s knockout journey, or does it signal a shift in World Cup momentum you’ll want to watch closely?