Bukayo Saka produced a stunning hat-trick as England defeated France to finish third at the World Cup, but the Arsenal winger has admitted the pain of the semi-final defeat to Argentina remains raw. Saka became only the fourth Englishman to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, joining Gary Lineker, Sir Geoff Hurst and Harry Kane, yet he insisted the individual milestone did little to ease the collective disappointment.
Saka's Hat-Trick Heroics
Saka made his first start in three games for England and seized the opportunity with a brilliant treble against France. The 24-year-old said: "On a personal level, I've worked so hard to get myself ready for this tournament and be available to produce moments like that. It's an incredible achievement. There are only three other Englishmen who have done it, so it's a nice record to have. I'm proud of myself."
Despite the historic feat, Saka acknowledged that the semi-final loss still stings. "I don't think anything can lessen the pain we felt from the other night. That one really hurt us," he said. "But this was about being professional and finishing strong. This group has that togetherness."
Defiant Vow for Euro 2028
Saka turned his focus to the future, vowing that the heartbreak will fuel England's bid for glory at Euro 2028. "When we go into the next major tournament, this will definitely be fuel for us," he said. "We showed we could do it, and we made the country believe as well. That belief hasn't left us. We'll be back next tournament to try and get over the line."
The third-place finish is England's best since 1966, but Saka admitted he wished he had played more during the tournament. His limited game time earlier in the competition was a source of frustration, but he delivered when it mattered most.
Spence's Coming of Age
Djed Spence, who was outstanding in the third-place play-off, described the World Cup as a "coming of age" moment for his career. The England full-back said: "I always believe in myself, and I'm happy I get to showcase on a bigger stage. It's great to be the best since 1966. It's something we achieved in this team."
Spence added: "Obviously it's not what we wanted, but it's the World Cup, and I'm proud to be part of it. It shows the mentality of the group. We're disappointed, but we've got to put it behind us and look at what's in front of us." The 24-year-old, who made his first major tournament appearance, credited his faith and hard work for his performances. "The difficult moments don't define you. I worked hard. I can only thank God," he said.
Backing for Tuchel
Spence also gave his full support to manager Thomas Tuchel, urging him to lead England into Euro 2028. "He's a great manager, and we're building something special," Spence said. "It's not the medal we wanted, but it's stepping stones. It's the best we've finished since 1966, so it's a step in the right direction. Hopefully, next tournament we can go one step further."
England's third-place finish has been hailed as progress, but both Saka and Spence made clear that the ultimate goal remains winning a major trophy. The team's resilience and togetherness, they believe, will be key to achieving that at Euro 2028.
