THOMAS TUCHEL confessed he did not realise Bukayo Saka had scored a hat-trick as England edged France in one of the craziest World Cup games ever.
The Three Lions sealed third place with a breathtaking 6-4 victory in Miami after racing into a 4-0 half-time lead before surviving a ferocious French fightback.
England boss Thomas Tuchel admitted he was not aware that Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in England’s 6-4 third-place play-off World Cup win against France
Saka was named player of the match following his hat-trick Credit: REUTERS
Saka was England’s star man, scoring twice before the break and completing his treble from the penalty spot late on after Djed Spence was brought down.
But despite the Arsenal winger’s heroics, Tuchel admitted he completely lost track of who had scored during the chaos.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
He told BBC Sport: “Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt.”
Then came the surprise admission.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
ENGLAND 6 FRANCE 4
Saka’s hat-trick wins maddest World Cup game EVER in TEN-GOAL thriller
WORLDIE OFFERS
World Cup 2026 free bets and offers: Best new football sign-up deals
Tuchel said: “I wasn’t aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant.”
Tuchel’s handling of Saka has been under the spotlight throughout the tournament, intensifying since the star wingers watched the whole of England’s semi-final capitulation against Argentina from the bench.
Fans and pundits had assumed Saka must have been unavailable for the game, having carried an injury earlier in the tournament.
But, speaking after his hat-trick heroics, the Gunners hero insisted he WAS fit and healthy.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Tuchel and Saka helped England to their best finish at a World Cup since the Three Lions lifted the trophy in 1966 Credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
England had looked home and dry after first-half strikes from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Saka’s double put them four goals clear.
France roared back through Kylian Mbappe’s brace and a Bradley Barcola goal, piling the pressure on Tuchel’s side.
But a Saka penalty in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick settled England’s nerves, regardless of a deep stoppage-time goal from current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Jude Bellingham then responded just two minutes later in the 98th minute to seal the victory.
The midfielder’s seven goals at the 2026 World Cup are the most scored by any England men’s player at a major tournament.
Tuchel admitted his team needed fresh legs after the break as Les Bleus dominated possession.
He said: “Not sure if we had more control. We just had fresher legs and quality players again.
“The others were tired. France played in their full flow and full risk, so we got unlucky to not concede the equaliser and finish it off with a penalty and a brilliant goal.”
Saka’s hat-trick ultimately proved decisive as England signed off the tournament with the bronze medal – even if their own manager did not realise his winger had completed the feat until after the final whistle.
