List of Wales national football team hat-tricks
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Wales played their first international association football match on 25 March 1876 against Scotland.[1] As of September 2021, fifteen Welsh international players have scored a hat-trick (three goals) or more in a game. The first player to achieve the feat was John Price who scored four goals against Ireland on 25 February 1882.[2] Other than Price, three other players have scored four goals during a match, Jack Doughty against Ireland in 1888, Mel Charles against Northern Ireland in 1962 and Ian Edwards against Malta in 1978.[2]
Wales' first five hat-tricks were all scored against the same opposition, Ireland, before Trevor Ford scored three times against Belgium on 23 November 1949, also becoming the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against a team not from the home nations.[2] As of September 2021 the most recent player to score a hat-trick for Wales was Gareth Bale, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Belarus on 5 September 2021.[3]
Wales have conceded 26 hat-tricks during their history,[a] the first being scored by Clement Mitchell in a friendly match on 3 February 1883 against England.[4] The first player to score a hat-trick against Wales from outside the home nations was Rajko Mitić for Yugoslavia on 21 May 1953.[5] Seven players have scored more than three goals in a single match against Wales, Joe Bambrick's six goals for Ireland during a 1929–30 British Home Championship match is the most goals scored by a player against Wales in a single match. Filippo Inzaghi of Italy is the most recent player to score a hat-trick against Wales, in a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match on 6 September 2003.[6]
Hat-tricks for Wales
- Key
| More than a hat-trick scored * |
- Table
Wartime internationals, not regarded as official matches, are not included in the list. The result is presented with Wales' score first.
Hat-tricks conceded by Wales
Wartime internationals, not regarded as official matches, are not included in the list. The result is presented with Wales' score first.
Notes
a Some sources attribute a hat-trick to Alex Smith during a 5–1 victory for Scotland on 15 March 1902.[39][40] However, others, including the Scottish Football Association, attribute two of his goals to other Scottish players.[41][42]