Top five: England hat-tricks

06 September 2010 11:45

Jermain Defoe's three goals in England's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Bulgaria saw him become the 57th player to score a hat-trick for the Three Lions.

The Tottenham striker's 13th, 14th and 15th international goals registered his name on an illustrious list of England hat-trick heroes that includes Tom Finney, Geoff Hurst and Alan Shearer.

To mark the occasion Football.co.uk has taken a trip down memory lane to select five of the finest hat-tricks scored in an England shirt.

Geoff Hurst: England v West Germany - 30 July 1966 - Wembley Stadium, London

On football's biggest stage Geoff Hurst's much treasured hat-trick sealed both his, and his country's place in the history books.

The West Ham striker remains the only player to achieve the feat in a World Cup final helping England to clinch their first and only Jules Rimet crown in a 4-2 win against West Germany.

Gary Lineker: England v Poland - 11 June 1986 - Estadio Universitario, Mexico

After defeat to Portugal and a goalless draw against Morocco, England’s 1986 World Cup campaign looked destined for the scrap heap before Gary Lineker's timely intervention.

In a must-win final group game against Poland, Lineker answered the prayers of a nation by scoring all three goals in a 3-0 victory to set up a second round knock out tie against Paraguay.

Paul Scholes: England v Poland - 27 March 1999 - Wembley Stadium, London

As a midfield player, Paul Scholes is among the minority on England's list of 57 hat-trick men.

The Manchester United player's prolific display in a 3-0 triumph helped to set Kevin Keegan's Three Lions on the track to Euro 2000 qualification.

Michael Owen: England v Germany - 01 September 2001 - Olympic Stadium, Munich

In perhaps England's greatest triumph of the 21st Century, Michael Owen stole the show in the role of chief executioner as the auld enemy were put to the sword.

Three strikes from the 21-year-old, punctuated by goals from Liverpool team mates Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey, saw Sven Goran Eriksson's men romp to a memorable 5-1 victory.

Theo Walcott: England v Croatia - 10 September 2008 - Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb

At the tender age of 19 Theo Walcott became the youngest player to register an England hat-trick as Fabio Capello's men enjoyed a near unblemished World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign.

The Arsenal flyer's dazzling display went a long way to banishing the bitter memories of two years previous against the same opponents (wally, brolly and all) but failed to secure him a seat on the plane to South Africa.

Source: DSG