Bukayo Saka scores hat trick as England crush France in thrilling clash

Bukayo Saka lit up the Stade de France on 18 July 2026 with a breathtaking hat trick as England dismantled France 4-2 in a high-octane international friendly.

What happened?

Saka struck three times in the first half alone, leaving France stunned. His first came after just six minutes, a crisp finish past Mike Maignan. The second arrived on 23 minutes, a curling effort into the top corner. By the 38th minute, Saka completed his treble with a clinical low drive. England led 3-0 at the break before France pulled two back in the second half. Harry Kane added a late fourth to seal the win.

Why it matters for Bukayo Saka

The performance cements Saka’s status as England’s talisman. At 24, he now has 18 goals in 42 caps-his best scoring rate since 2023. The hat trick came against a France side ranked second in the world, underlining its weight. Gareth Southgate called it a ‘career-defining’ display, while pundits tipped Saka for a Ballon d’Or contender tag.

What comes next?

England face Germany in the Nations League opener on 4 September. Saka will line up against his club teammate, Kai Havertz. France, meanwhile, must regroup after this heavy defeat. Saka’s next goal hunt starts in the Premier League on 14 August when Arsenal host Manchester United.

Reaction and analysis

Maignan admitted Saka was unstoppable. ‘He’s a nightmare for defenders,’ the France keeper said. Southgate praised Saka’s ‘mental edge’ and ‘ice in his veins’ under pressure. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the performance as proof of Saka’s world-class ability. The win also silences critics who questioned Saka’s big-game consistency.