As the crowd roars with excitement and the scoreboard tallies up the goals, there is one term that sends chills down the spine of every soccer player: the hat trick.
Three goals in a single game are a feat that both players and spectators of this popular sport admire and are in awe of. The phrase “hat trick” has an enigmatic history, but there is no denying its influence on soccer.
It is the pinnacle of talent, strategy, and collaboration and what sets great players apart from average ones. However, what precisely is a hat trick and what variations are there? What psychological impact do they have on the player and the team, and how uncommon are they?
However, In this post, I will share with you what a hat trick is in football from its humble beginnings in the 19th century to the modern-day achievements of the world’s greatest players. Plus, you will learn:
- What Constitutes a Hat Trick in Soccer?
- How Rare is a Hat Trick in Soccer?
- How many hat trick has been scored in the Premiership
- How many hat trick has been scored in the FIFA world cup
Let’s get to it.
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What Is A Hat Trick In Soccer?
If soccer is your first sport, you are probably clueless about what a hat trick is. This section will define a hat trick and look at the various types of hat tricks that can be accomplished.
Plus, I will discuss some of the most famous hat tricks in soccer history. In association football, a player scores three goals in a single game not necessarily consecutively, and is said to have scored a hat-trick; a brace is defined as two goals in a single game.
Similar to other official record-keeping regulations, all goals scored throughout the prescribed 90 minutes, plus any additional time needed, are included in the total, however goals scored in a penalty shootout are not.
Alex Torr established the record for the quickest time ever to score a hat-trick in a Sunday league game in 2013. His timing was 70 seconds.
When playing for Ross County versus Nairn County on November 28, 1964, Tommy Ross held the previous record, which was 90 seconds.
Ntinos Pontikas established the record for the youngest player to ever score a hat trick in 1996, while Pelé became the youngest player to ever score a triple in a World Cup in 1958. The greatest hat trick of the 21st century was already over after only 18 months and 17 days.
The Guardian’s Rob Smyth discusses Rivaldo Hat’s trick versus Valencia in June 2001. John McDougall of Scotland made the first hat trick in a competitive match against an English opponent on March 2, 1878.
The first hat trick in a FIFA World Cup match was recorded by American player Bert Patenaude against Paraguay in the first round in 1930. However, three hat tricks have been recorded in a world cup final that is in 1996, 201,5, and 2022.
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Geoff Hurst recorded the first Hat trick in the 1996 world cup final between England and West Germany, and in the 2015 Women’s world cup final between USA and Japan, Carli Lloyd recorded a hat trick.
And in 2022, Kylian Mbappe recorded the third hat trick in a world cup final game in Qatar between France vs Argentina. The quickest World Cup game to start was Lloyd’s, which did so in 16 minutes.
Fabienne Humm of Switzerland, who scored against Ecuador in the 2015 group stage, has the fastest World Cup hat-trick, according to the time between goals, scoring in the 47th, 49th, and 52nd minutes.
With that said a player who achieved this feat is expected to keep the match ball.
Different Types of Hat Tricks
You wouldn’t believe the variety of hat tricks used in soccer. The most prevalent form is the classic hat trick, in which a player scores three goals consecutively.
The perfect hat trick, which includes scoring a goal with each foot (right, left, and head), is one form of the hat trick, nevertheless.
However, there are some uncommon hat tricks in soccer like the upper or mega hat trick in which a player scores four to five goals in a game.
Examples of Famous Hat Tricks in Soccer
Lots of hat tricks have been recorded in football, and many of them could be famous for football lovers. but as for me, I would pick Carli Lloyd’s hat trick in the women’s FIFA world cup final in a match between USA and Japan.
This hat trick is the first hat trick recorded in the women’s FIFA world cup final, and this record is yet to be broken.
Other famous hat tricks on my list are Lionel Messi’s stunning hat trick against Real Madrid in 2014 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s five-goal haul against Granada in 2015.
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How Rare is a Hat Trick in Soccer?
A hat trick may seem like a remarkable accomplishment, but how often is it in soccer?
The statistical study of hat tricks in soccer will be discussed in more detail in this section, along with the factors that make them so uncommon and a comparison of the number of hat tricks between leagues and competitions.
Statistical Analysis of Hat Tricks in Soccer
According to statistics, hat tricks are relatively rare in soccer. Players score less than 5% of all soccer games. However, the frequency of hat tricks can vary widely depending on the league or competition.
For example, some leagues have a higher average number of goals per game, which could help some players to score hat tricks in a match.
Factors that Contribute to the Rarity of a Hat Trick
Several factors contribute to the rarity of a hat trick in soccer, and one of the most main factors is the level of competition.
Believe me, scoring three goals in a single game requires not only skill but also a bit of luck. Also, the style of play or tactical approach of the opponent could predict the number of goals that will score in a game.
Imagine playing with a defensive team who parks the bus. In addition, the quality of the opponent, some teams tend to be poor as they chose to have the ball rather than putting it at the back of the net.
Comparison of the Frequency of Hat Tricks in Different Leagues and Competitions
Hat tricks occur less frequently or more frequently according to the league or tournament, as was previously indicated.
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For instance, the English Premier League leads the world in the number of hat tricks scored with nearly 300 since its beginning in 1992.
The FIFA World Cup, which is regarded as the biggest international soccer competition, has only ever witnessed 52 hat tricks.
Conclusion
A player gets a hat trick when they score three goals in one game. According to the combination of goals scored, there are many types of hat tricks, including a perfect hat trick and a super hat trick.
According to statistical data, hat tricks only happen in fewer than 5% of soccer matches. A hat trick’s significance extends beyond its statistical accomplishment and can have a profound psychological effect on the player as well as the team.
A hat trick is often recognized and applauded by supporters, teammates, and the media and can be extremely important in determining the outcome of a game.