What is a Hat Trick in Soccer & Why Is It Called Like So (Term’s Origin)

Many goalless soccer games can indeed be as or more exciting than those with them. However, there’s nothing better than seeing someone hit the back of the net.

And when you have a striker on fire, you might even see one of soccer’s prize performances: a hat trick. But what is a hat trick in soccer? Here’s the explanation!

Hat trick in soccer is the rare feat achieved by a single player of scoring 3 goals in one match in the 90 minutes of regulation time (and the 30 minutes of extra time for knockout games with overtime), consecutively or not. Goals from a penalty shootout do not count for a hat trick.

The above definition is okay, but there’s still plenty to explore here, including why it is called a hat trick in the first place. Just keep on reading!

Key Takeaways

• A hat trick in soccer refers to a player scoring three goals in one game, showcasing exceptional talent.
• The term originated in cricket, dating back to the 1850s, and has since been adopted across various sports.
• Hat tricks are rare, with less than 4% of matches featuring one, and players often receive the match ball as a souvenir.

What Is a Hat Trick in Soccer/Football? Term Meaning

The term "hat trick" in soccer (or association football) is a single player's incredible feat of scoring three goals in one match.

Achieving a hat trick holds a special place in World Soccer, given the fast-paced nature of the game and the heightened level of competition.

I mean, goals in this sport aren't easy to score for any single player — let alone three in the same game!!

It can also tremendously impact the match's final result for that player's team.

Players are often praised and remembered when they complete this outstanding feat that showcases their skill and expertise on the field.

Forwards and attackers score most hat tricks, as their primary role on the team is to create and score goals.

Although less common, midfielders can also achieve hat-tricks, given their strategic positioning and capability to contribute to the team's scoring attempts.

It's rarer to see defenders scoring a hat trick due to their primary responsibility of thwarting the opposing team's offense, but it can happen.

What Is Considered a Hat Trick in Soccer?

To be considered a hat-trick, one player has to score three goals (not less or more) during a single match.

That is, within the 90 minutes that a soccer game lasts (regular time) or the 120 minutes of a knockout match that goes into extra time.

This three-goal tally does not need to be done uninterruptedly. It doesn't matter if other players from either team score before the hat trick is completed.

The hat trick goals can be scored with any body part allowed by the Laws of the Game. For example, the foot, the heel, or the head.

Goals scored from penalty kicks punishing fouls inside the penalty box count towards a player's hat trick.

However, a goal scored from a penalty kick during a penalty shootout does not.

Own goals are also excluded from this count.

Why Is It Called a Hat Trick in Soccer: Where Did the Term Hat Trick Come From?

The term "hat trick" was first used in cricket in 1858 to illustrate bowler Heathfield Harman Stephenson's remarkable sporting accomplishment and the corresponding spectator's tribute.

Playing for the All-England Eleven in a match against the twenty-two of Hallam at Hyde Park Cricket Grounds in Sheffield, H.H. Stephenson took three wickets with three consecutive deliveries.

The fans at the game decided to hold a collection, as was customary for outstanding feats, and present the 28-year-old player with a hat or a cap to honor his incredible trick.

The famous English cricketer was the first to receive such an award. Gifting players a hat for this type of feat became a tradition from that point onward.

The phrase was printed for the first time in 1865 in the Chelmsford Chronicle.

Why Are 3 Goals Called a Hat Trick?

Having one player score three goals in a game is rare. The difficulty of such an achievement is probably as high as one cricketer taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries in a match.

As cricket and association football share strong connections* the term "hat trick" and its associated tradition was carried over to the king of sports.

* In the 19th century, many cricketers kept their form during cricket off-season by participating in soccer matches.

It didn't take long for a footballer who scored thrice in one match to earn a symbolic prize, such as a hat.

The terminology "hat trick" was initially used in soccer in the late 19th or early 20th century and is still used today.

It has extended beyond cricket and soccer and is utilized in various other sports to denote similar achievements.

In non-English speaking countries, the term varies, such as "tripletta" in Italy and "coup du chapeau" or "triplé" in France. However, the English term "hat trick" is often used in Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

Use of the term "Hat Trick" in Other Sports

Besides soccer, the term "hat trick" is used in other sports.

Cricket

In cricket, the phrase "hat trick" describes a particular bowler stunningly taking down three wickets with consecutive deliveries in one match.

Baseball

In baseball, in the past, the expression "hat trick" was used on certain occasions to describe an instance when a player struck out thrice.

Today, in America's beloved game, it is more commonly utilized when a player achieves three home runs in one game.

Gaelic Football

In Gaelic football, a "hat trick" can be achieved by goals scored or points earned during a match.

Handball

In handball, the term "hat trick" celebrates when a player pulls off scoring three times in a single contest of this fast-paced sport.

Hockey

Both in field and ice hockey, a "hat trick" is made when a player nets three goals in one game.

In the icy hockey version, fans shower the ice with hats to celebrate a hat trick.

There's also the natural hat trick, which happens when a player scores thrice consecutively without interruptions from other scorers.

Bill Mosienko holds the NHL record for the fastest natural hat trick, having accomplished this in just 21 seconds in 1952!

Lacrosse

In Lacrosse, a "hat trick" occurs when a player lands three goals in one game.

Despite the abundance of hat tricks, hat showers from the fans are rare, given the relatively high scores in this thrilling sport.

Motor Racing

In motor racing, the term has three possible meanings:

1. Three consecutive race victories.
2. Winning the same event three times in a row.
3. Getting the pole position, fastest lap, and race victory all in one event.

Rugby

In both Rugby Union and Rugby League, a "hat trick" is celebrated when a player pushes through three or more tries in a game.

The hat-trick scorer is awarded with the match ball, like in association football.

Water Polo

In water polo, a "hat trick" is achieved when a player scores three times during a match of this aquatic sport.

Other Hat-Trick-Related Terms and Their Meanings

Besides the standard hat trick phrase, there are a few related terms, such as:

• Perfect or Golden Hat Trick
• Super Hat Trick
• Double Hat Trick

Let us now understand what each of these hat-trick-related terms means.

Perfect or Golden Hat-Trick

A perfect or golden hat trick is an even more impressive stunt by a single player during one soccer match. A player accomplishes this by scoring:

• One goal with their right foot.
• One goal with their left foot.
• One goal as a header.

This hat trick variation demonstrates the versatility and skill of a soccer player in using different techniques to score goals. It is highly esteemed in soccer.

Cristiano Ronaldo is an example of a player who has scored a perfect hat trick.

Flawless Hat Trick

This less commonly used variation of the conventional term requires a player:

• To score the three goals within one of the 45-minute halves of the match. (It doesn't matter if it's the first or the second half.)
• All goals must be scored consecutively: no other player can find the back of the net in between.

Completing a "flawless hat trick" is pretty challenging as it has to be done in half the time.

It clearly demonstrates a footballer's focus, determination, and persistence.

Super Hat Trick

A super hat trick takes the traditional hat trick up a notch, requiring a player to score four goals in a single game instead of the standard three.

This rare and remarkable achievement is sometimes called a haul, quadruple, or poker in soccer terminology.

Players who pull off a super hat trick are celebrated for their extraordinary performance on the field and accuracy in front of the goal.

Double Hat Trick

A double hat trick is when a player achieves the extraordinary feat of scoring six goals in one match.

This remarkable accomplishment is exceedingly rare —almost unheard of — with only a few players having done it, like Alvarez for River Plater, Suárez for Ajax, and Mascarenhas for Sporting Lisbon.

FIFA World Cup 22 winner Julian Alvarez put six balls inside the goal in a single CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores match in River Plate's 8-1 win over Alianza Lima on May 25, 2022.

Luis Suárez scored a double hat trick when playing for Ajax against WHC Wezep in the KNVB Beker (Dutch National Cup) round-of-16 in a 14-1 victory on December 23, 2009.

Mascarenhas achieved a double hat trick (with a perfect hat trick in the mix) in the European Cup Winners' Cup first round first leg 16-1 win against APOEL on November 13, 1963.

Triple Hat Trick or Hat Trick of… Hat Tricks

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland achieved a hat trick of… hat tricks — three times the amount of goals of a hat trick in one game!

Before his senior career started, he scored nine goals in a single match while playing for Norway against Honduras in a 12-0 win at the 2019 Under-20 World Cup.

This record by the mighty (not Thor, but close…) represents the most goals scored by any player in a single FIFA World Cup match at senior or junior level.

Never has the U20WC seen a hat-trick of hat-tricks in one game
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

🇳🇴 Erling Haland, ladies and gentlemen 👇 pic.twitter.com/w6O9CljOh6

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) May 31, 2019

How Hard Is It To Score A Hat Trick?

Scoring a hat trick is extremely difficult, especially in professional soccer games where the level of play is as high as it gets. It depends not only on the goal scorer's skills but also on several other factors.

Seeing someone scoring a treble is rare — with chances of one happening being around 3% — which explains how challenging this feat is and highlights its importance in the Soccer World.

Even some of the world's most talented footballers only achieve a handful of hat tricks throughout their careers.

No wonder this feat has its own term and gives every hat trick scorer a distinct place in the records books.

As mentioned before, several factors can hinder or help a player's chances of scoring a hat trick.

The primary factors pertain to the player itself and their individual performance:

• Form.
• Skills.
• Training.
• Position.
• Accuracy.
• Confidence.
• Determination.

A player needs to be in tip-top form and 100% confident.

It is required to have exceptional skills, precision, accuracy, the right amount of training, and sometimes a bit of luck.

Playing in this most favorable position is also relevant. Forwards will have more goal-scoring opportunities than defenders, making hat tricks more likely for players in attacking positions.

Reaching the level of proficiency needed to score a hat trick takes years of dedicated training, countless hours of practice, honing one's skills, and refining techniques.

Players must develop their agility, technique, speed, positioning, shooting accuracy, and decision-making abilities to find openings in the opposition's defense.

The secondary or external factors pertain to the player's team and the opposition:

• Team tactics and teamwork.
• Opposition team's quality.

The tactics of the player's side play a decisive role in this scenario as more offensive teams build more goal-scoring opportunities.

Teamwork is definitely crucial, as well as having great players supporting and assisting you.

No one player (well… I guess that's debatable) can carry their team on their back and score goals without any help from their teammates.

The strength and tactics of the other team matter, too.

If the opponents are much weaker, defend poorly, or their goalkeeper is having a bad day, there will be higher chances of someone putting the ball in the back of the net more than once.

Despite the above factors, hat tricks are still infrequent in soccer games.

Alongside a goal scorer's skills, offensive tactics, and training sessions, defenses and new strategies are continuously evolving and being developed to shut down the opposition's attack.

Besides, soccer is truly an unpredictable game, and the increasing level of competition makes it even more difficult for a player to score three goals in a single game.

Is There a Prize for a Hat Trick?

There isn't an official physical prize or monetary reward for scoring a hat trick in professional soccer; a symbolic gift like a hat is no longer offered by the fans like in the past.

However, the hat trick scorer traditionally takes the match ball home as a memento of their outstanding performance.

It's a tangible reminder of their performance on the field on that particular day and a personal trophy for their collection.

Given the difficulty of such an accomplishment, the soccer player may also be named Man/Woman/Player of the Match and receive other honorable tributes.

Some attacking players, like strikers, may also have a clause in their contract with the soccer club where they earn monetary compensation for the number of goals scored — a triple bonus in the same game is always welcome.

Perhaps more important is the prestige and recognition that comes from being able to pull this stunt — that's the most valuable distinction a player can get.

Achieving this milestone can boost a player's reputation and standing within their team and Planet Football as it is celebrated and praised by the player's teammates, coaching staff, and fans.

Also worth mentioning is that a footballer who consistently scores hat tricks could be more likely to attract interest from larger clubs or receive individual awards and accolades for their performance on the pitch.

Football Hat Tricks Record List

Some soccer players have reached the Olympus of the king of sports by achieving not one but multiple hat tricks during their careers.

Of many thousands, only a few possess high enough talent to set and break records.

Which Soccer Players Have the Most Hat Tricks?

Most Career Hat Tricks

The Guinness World Records claims that Pelé has the most career hat tricks with 92.

However, according to RSSSF, German footballer Erwin Helmchen is the one who holds this record with at least 141 hat tricks under his belt.

Active Players with the Most Hat Tricks

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the active footballer with the most career hat tricks. He has 63 currently.

The Portuguese forward has demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess at clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr, along with his national team appearances.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi comes next on this list, with 57 career hat tricks.

Messi is a Barcelona legend, having played there for most of his career. He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain and is now at Inter Miami.

In third place are Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona's and Poland's striker) and Luis Suárez (Grêmio's and Uruguay's striker) with 29 career hat tricks each.

Other Notable Hat Trick Records

Premier League

Argentine striker Sergio Agüero (retired) holds the record for most Premier League hat tricks with 12.

English striker Alan Shearer holds the record for the most hat tricks in a single Premier League campaign with 5.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Harry Kane (ex-Tottenham Hotspur, now Bayern) totaled up to 4 hat tricks in a single Premier League edition.

Sadio Mané scored the fastest hat trick in the history of the Premier League, netting a triple in just 2 minutes and 56 seconds in Southampton's 6-1 win against Aston Villa in 2015.

La Liga

Lionel Messi holds the record for the most hat tricks in the Spanish La Liga with 36. Cristiano Ronaldo follows closely behind with 34.

Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi also dominate the list of players with the most hat tricks in the UEFA Champions League.

Cristiano scored 7 for Real Madrid and 1 for Juventus, and Messi 8 playing for Barcelona.

Robert Lewandowski has 6 hat tricks to his name: 1 for Dortmund, 4 for Bayern, and 1 for Barcelona.

International Football

John McDougall scored the first-ever hat trick in an international match, achieving the feat in a Scotland 7-2 victory versus England on March 2, 1878.

CR7 was the first footballer to score 10 hat tricks in international football. His 10th hat trick happened in Portugal's 5-0 win against Luxembourg on October 12, 2021.

World Cup

Sándor Kocsis (Switzerland 1954), Just Fontaine (Sweden 1958), Gerd Müller (Mexico 1970), and Gabriel Batistuta (USA 1994 and France 1998) are the four soccer players with the most hat tricks in FIFA World Cups.

US forward Bert Patenaude was the first player to score a hat trick in a FIFA World Cup game. He netted 3 goals in the USA's 3-0 win against Paraguay on July 17, 1930.

At 17 years and 244 days, Pelé holds the record for the youngest player to strike three times in a World Cup match. It happened in the Sweden FIFA World Cup 1958 in Brazil's 5-2 semi-final victory versus France on June 24.

At 33 years and 122 days, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat trick in a World Cup.

It happened in Portugal's group stage 3-3 draw against Spain in the Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 on June 15.

Italian striker Carolina Morace was the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA Women's World Cup.

She accomplished this feat in Italy's win by 5-0 against Chinese Taipei during a group stage match on November 17, 1991.

Carli Lloyd of the United States scored the first and only hat trick in a final.

The two-time World champion put 3 goals inside the goal in the US's 5-2 victory versus Japan on July 5, 2015.

In the same competition (Canada FIFA Women's World Cup 2015), Fabienne Humm, from Switzerland, scored the fastest hat trick ever (5 minutes) in a Women's World Cup.

Her impressive achievement was completed in the Switzerland 10-1 win against Ecuador on June 12.