What Is a Hat-Trick in Football? Meaning, Rules and Types
A hat-trick is when one player scores three goals in a single match. The goals do not have to be consecutive, and penalties count, but goals in a penalty shoot-out do not. Scoring a hat-trick is one of the most celebrated individual achievements in football.
What counts as a hat-trick?
| Situation | Does it count? |
|---|---|
| Three goals in open play | Yes |
| Goals from penalties or free kicks during the match | Yes |
| Goals scored in extra time | Yes, in the same match |
| Goals in a penalty shoot-out | No |
| Own goals | No, they are not credited to the player as goals |
| Goals across the two legs of a tie | No, they must come in one match |
Disputed goals can sometimes be reassigned after a match, which can create or remove a hat-trick. See how goals and assists are credited.
Types of hat-trick
Perfect hat-trick
One goal with the right foot, one with the left foot and one with the head. It shows a complete range of finishing.
True hat-trick
A term some fans use when a player scores three goals in a row, with no goal from anyone else in between. It is informal rather than official.
Where does the word come from?
The term comes from cricket. In 1858, English bowler H. H. Stephenson took three wickets with three consecutive balls, and he was reportedly presented with a hat to mark the feat. The expression later spread to football and other sports. In football, the match ball is traditionally given to the player who scores a hat-trick, often signed by team-mates.
Famous hat-tricks
- World Cup finals: Geoff Hurst scored three for England in 1966, and Kylian Mbappé scored three for France in 2022.
- Fastest in the Premier League: Sadio Mané scored three in 2 minutes 56 seconds for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015.
Other goalscoring terms
- Brace: two goals in a match.
- Haul: an informal word for a player's goals in a match, usually three or more.
- Poker: four goals, a term popular in Spanish and Italian football.
- Manita: Spanish for "little hand", used when a team wins by five goals.
Find more in our football glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Do penalties count towards a hat-trick?
Yes. A penalty scored during the match counts as a normal goal, so a player can score a hat-trick entirely from the penalty spot.
Does a goalkeeper ever score a hat-trick?
It is extremely rare, but it has happened. José Luis Chilavert of Paraguay is famous for scoring a hat-trick of penalties in a league match in Argentina in 1999.
Who keeps the ball after a hat-trick?
By tradition, the player keeps the match ball. It is a custom rather than a rule.
How can I see who scored a hat-trick?
Open the match on EHScore and choose the Events tab to see each goal, its minute and its scorer. The Top Scorer tab on a league page shows the season's leading goalscorers.