What is a Hat Trick in Soccer?

A hat trick in soccer is when a soccer player scores three goals in a single game.

These goals don’t have to be scored consecutively or in the same style. Any player can score a hat trick at any point during a game. Easy in concept but very difficult in reality!

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the infamous and prestigious ability to score three goals.

Hat Trick in a Soccer Game

Given the rarity of three goals on an 11 v 11 field, it has been a tradition to present the game ball to the player responsible for it in a professional match.

In youth games, you might get a slap on the back or an extra handshake from your coach.

A player who has already scored twice in a game (called “a brace“) is said to be “on a hat trick” since scoring once more will result in an official hat trick.

Here are some incredible hat tricks over the years.

Why is it Referred to as a Hat Trick?

Great question! The term “hat trick” was first used in 1858 by English cricketer H. H. Stephenson grabbed three wickets with three straight deliveries at Sheffield’s Hyde Park stadium.

Shortly after that day, Heathfield Harman Stephenson got the wickets of three batters with three successive deliveries, coining the phrase “hat trick.” Stephenson was given a hat as a token of appreciation for his skill.

So, the phrase originated from the famous case in which three wickets were taken off of three consecutive deliveries.

As such, Heathfield Harman Stephenson wasn’t probably aware that he was coining a new expression and that it would be associated with sports, notably soccer, for the next centuries.

What is the Perfect Hat Trick?

A player may achieve a perfect hat trick if they score a goal with each of the following three parts of the body: the right foot, the left foot, and the head.

As you can imagine, this is very rare!

This is considered to be a level above a normal hat trick, as the player has showcased a variety of different skills by scoring each goal differently.

While a perfect hat trick is a rare feat, it has been achieved by some of the greatest players in soccer history. Some notable examples include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez.

What is a Double Hat Trick?

In soccer, a “double hat trick” is accomplished when a player scores six goals in a single game, as indicated by the name.

However, this is very unusual in soccer, and you’d be hard-pressed to see one in any professional league today.

Yet, there have been games where a single player scored six or more goals.

The last time this happened in English soccer was in 1957 when Neville Coleman scored seven goals to lead Stoke City to an 8-0 Second Division victory against Lincoln City. Now, that’s impressive!

In youth soccer, I’ve witnessed plenty of double hat tricks in rec leagues. There’s always one or two kids that will dribble through everyone to score at a rapid pace. If this is your child, put them back on defense!

What it is Called if a Player Scores 4 Goals in Soccer?

When a soccer player scores four goals in a soccer game, it is called a “poker” in Spain, while in other countries, it is referred to as a “haul” or a “super hat-trick.”

It’s important to note that these terms are unofficial and are not recognized by official soccer organizations.

However, they are commonly used by fans and commentators to describe a player’s impressive performance on the field.

Who Has the Most Hat Tricks in Soccer?

In the history of professional soccer, Pele is the player with the most hat tricks in all the major professional soccer leagues.

Even though he retired in 1977, his record of 92 hat tricks puts him miles ahead of the competition.

Currently, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way with 63 hat tricks, but Lionel Messi is not far behind with 57 in his career.

Famous Hat Tricks in Soccer History

Here are some of the most famous hat tricks in soccer history:

• Lionel Messi: Scored a five-goal haul against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
• Cristiano Ronaldo: Scored three goals against Atletico Madrid in the 2019 UEFA Champions League round of 16.
• Geoff Hurst: Hurst’s three goals in the 1966 World Cup final helped England win the tournament.
• Arjen Robben: Robben had an impressive three goals in the 2013 UEFA Champions League semifinals against Barcelona.
• Michael Owen: Scored his three goals against Germany in the 2001 World Cup qualifiers.

Conclusion – it’s a team game

There’s no doubt that three goals in a game is an impressive feat for any soccer player!

Every attacking player wants to have this honor since it speaks to their scoring ability. Let’s face it, a soccer game where someone scores a hat trick is usually more talked about afterward.

Scoring a hat trick requires a combination of skill, precision, and a bit of luck. It is not an easy thing to accomplish, and that’s why players who score hat tricks are usually highly praised and celebrated.

Although one player is highlighted, it’s usually a team effort in moving the ball up the field and setting up the player who gets the goals.

Overall, this is a remarkable achievement in soccer, and it is a testament to a player’s talent and hard work. But, also credit needs to be due to the entire team for contributing.

Whether you are a player, coach, or fan, you can appreciate the significance of a hat trick and the excitement it brings to the game!

Frequently Asked Questions