Saka's blistering hat-trick sparked a thrilling 6-4 victory for England against France in Miami, securing their best World Cup finish since the 1966 triumph. The electric performance has reignited the debate over manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave the Arsenal winger on the bench in the semi-final against Argentina.
Saka was unstoppable as he netted twice in the first half, reacting like a lightning bolt to a saved Marcus Rashford effort and then coolly slotting home after Eberechi Eze's pinpoint pass. When France threatened to stage a comeback, Saka sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, restoring England's two-goal cushion and joining an elite group of English players who have achieved a World Cup hat-trick – Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker, and Harry Kane.
Just three days prior, in Atlanta, Saka watched from the sidelines as England's World Cup dreams ended in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. Despite being deemed fit, he remained an unused substitute, with Tuchel opting for Morgan Rogers on the right – a decision that initially paid off when the Aston Villa forward set up Anthony Gordon's opening goal.
Tuchel defended his semi-final selection, insisting it wasn't a reflection of lost faith in Saka. He revealed that Saka had been battling a persistent Achilles problem all season with Arsenal, requiring careful management of his minutes – starting only three of England's eight World Cup matches. Tuchel acknowledged that while Saka was ready to play against Argentina, the game's evolving dynamics led to a different tactical approach.
Saka himself admitted feeling frustrated at his limited playing time but chose to focus on his sparkling display against France. His performance left no doubt about his importance to the England squad and his capabilities on the biggest stage – leaving fans pondering what might have been if he had started in Atlanta.