List of Wales national football team hat-tricks explained

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, 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. 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.

Hat-tricks for Wales

Key
More than a hat-trick scored *
TableWartime internationals, not regarded as official matches, are not included in the list.The result is presented with Wales' score first.
DateGoalsPlayer OpponentVenueCompetitionResultRef
bgcolor=goldRacecourse Ground, WrexhamFriendlydata-sort-value="0700" [5]
Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh1884–85 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0800" [6]
bgcolor=goldRacecourse Ground1887–88 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="1100" [7]
Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh1888–89 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0300" [8]
Racecourse Ground1905–06 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0400" [9]
Ninian Park, CardiffFriendlydata-sort-value="0500" [10]
Windsor Park1954–55 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0300" [11]
Ninian Park, Cardiff1958 FIFA World Cup qualificationdata-sort-value="0400" [12]
bgcolor=goldNinian Park, Cardiff1961–62 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0400" [13]
Windsor Park, Belfast1962–63 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0400" [14]
bgcolor=goldRacecourse Ground, WrexhamUEFA Euro 1980 qualificationdata-sort-value="0700" [15]
Ninian Park, Cardiff1978–79 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0300" [16]
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff1994 FIFA World Cup qualificationdata-sort-value="0600" [17]
Millennium Stadium, CardiffFriendlydata-sort-value="0400" [18]
Guangxi Sports Center, Nanning2018 China Cupdata-sort-value="0600" align=center [19]
Central Stadium, Kazan2022 FIFA World Cup Qualificationdata-sort-value="0320" align=center

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.

DateGoalsPlayer OpponentVenueCompetitionResultRef(s)
Kensington Oval, LondonFriendlydata-sort-value="0500"
Acton Park, Wrexham1884–85 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0801" [20]
Nantwich Road, Crewe1887–88 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0501"
bgcolor=goldUnderwood Park, Paisley1890 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0500"
bgcolor=goldUlsterville, Belfast1890–91 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0702" [21]
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham1892–93 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0800" [22]
bgcolor=goldRacecourse Ground, Wrexham1892–93 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0800"
Solitude, Belfast1892–93 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0702" [23]
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham1893–94 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0501"
bgcolor=goldArms Park, Cardiff1895–96 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0901"
Fir Park, Motherwell1897–98 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0502"
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham1898–99 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0602"
bgcolor=goldSt James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne1900–01 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0600" [24]
Ninian Park, Cardiff1901–02 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0300" [25]
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham1907–08 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0701"
Ibrox Park, Glasgow1928–29 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0401" [26]
Stamford Bridge, London1929–30 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0600" [27]
bgcolor=goldWindsor Park, Belfast1929–30 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0700" [28]
Ninian Park, Cardiff1950 FIFA World Cup qualification
1950 British Home Championship		data-sort-value="0401" [29]
JNA Stadium, BelgradeFriendlydata-sort-value="0502" [30]
Ninian Park, CardiffFriendlydata-sort-value="0301" [31]
Wembley Stadium, London1953–54 British Home Championshipdata-sort-value="0302" [32] [33]
Stadio Olimpico, Rome1970 FIFA World Cup qualificationdata-sort-value="0400" [34]
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven1998 FIFA World Cup qualificationdata-sort-value="0701" [35]
bgcolor=goldAli Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul1998 FIFA World Cup qualificationdata-sort-value="0604" [36]
San Siro, MilanUEFA Euro 2004 qualifyingdata-sort-value="0400" [37]

Notes

Some sources attribute a hat-trick to Alex Smith during a 5–1 victory for Scotland on 15 March 1902.[38] [39] However, others, including the Scottish Football Association, attribute two of his goals to other Scottish players.[40] [41]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: International matches of Wales . . Jostein Nygård . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170916070213/http://rsssf.com/tablesw/wal-intres.html . 16 September 2017 .
  2. Web site: Wales national football team statistics and records: hat tricks . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180114184400/https://www.11v11.com/teams/wales/tab/stats/option/hattricks/ . 14 January 2018 .
  3. News: Belarus 2–3 Wales . BBC Sport . Pritchard . Dafydd . 5 September 2021 . 5 September 2021.
  4. Web site: England – International Results 1872–1899 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Barrie Courtney. 21 March 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110807074058/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-intres1872.html. 7 August 2011.
  5. News: Wales v Ireland. The Times. 30441. 27 February 1882. 10. subscription . The Times Digital Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206070918/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R1&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=1&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C13%29wales+ireland%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C23%2902%2F25%2F1882+-+03%2F05%2F1882%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=harrow&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS168739419&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y. 6 February 2018.
  6. News: Ireland 2–8 Wales . Welsh Football Data Archive . 11 April 1885 . 16 January 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112145232/http://wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=21 . 2017-01-12 .
  7. News: Wales 11–0 Ireland . Welsh Football Data Archive . 3 March 1888 . 16 January 2018 . dead . https://archive.today/20121209104055/http://www.wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=29 . 2012-12-09 .
  8. News: Ireland 0–3 Wales . Welsh Football Data Archive . 27 April 1889 . 16 January 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112101240/http://wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=33 . 2017-01-12 .
  9. News: Wales 4–4 Ireland . Welsh Football Data Archive . 2 April 1906 . 16 January 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050432/http://wfda.co.uk/international_details.php?id=84 . 2016-03-04 .
  10. News: 1946–49 results . WelshFootballOnline . 1946–49 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120209124427/http://www.welshfootballonline.com/results/res1946.html . 9 February 2012 . 7 July 2010 .
  11. News: 1950–59 . Welshfootballonline . 1950–59 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120309000810/http://www.welshfootballonline.com/results/res1950.html . 2012-03-09 .
  12. Web site: Wales v East Germany, 25 September 1957 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 16 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117070200/https://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-east-germany-25-september-1957-226980/ . 17 January 2018 .
  13. News: Ireland no Match for Wales. 20 July 2015. The Times. 55364. 12 April 1962. 3. subscription . The Times Digital Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100109/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R8&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=20&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C5%29wales%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C23%2904%2F11%2F1962+-+04%2F30%2F1962%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=harrow&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS51077772&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y. 4 March 2016.
  14. News: Convincing Win by Wales. 20 July 2015. The Times. 55667. 4 April 1963. 3. subscription . The Times Digital Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100437/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R5&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=1&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C22%29wales+northern+ireland%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C23%2904%2F03%2F1963+-+04%2F30%2F1963%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=harrow&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS50947204&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y. 4 March 2016.
  15. News: Gerald Sinstadt. Wales do no more than achieve their target. 20 July 2015. The Times. 60442. 26 October 1978. 10. subscription . The Times Digital Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095708/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R4&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=2&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C11%29wales+malta%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C23%2910%2F25%2F1978+-+10%2F30%2F1978%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=harrow&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS168002394&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y. 4 March 2016.
  16. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1976–1980 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Alan Brown. Gabriele Tossani. 10 April 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110511110957/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1980.html. 11 May 2011.
  17. News: Keith Pike. Treble by Rush Equals Record. 20 July 2015. The Times. 64434. 10 September 1992. 29. subscription . The Times Digital Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100630/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R1&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=1&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C8%29ian+rush%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C10%2909%2F10%2F1992%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=harrow&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=IF503340956&contentSet=TDA&callistoContentSet=TDA&docPage=article&hilite=y. 4 March 2016.
  18. News: Wales 4–0 Scotland . . 18 February 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20051119195741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3496099.stm . 19 November 2005 .
  19. News: China PR 0–6 Wales. BBC Sport. 22 March 2018.
  20. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1881–1890 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Alan Brown. Gabriele Tossani. 9 April 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131001025723/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1890.html. 1 October 2013.
  21. Web site: Ireland v Wales, 07 February 1891 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 14 January 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160401132842/http://www.11v11.com/matches/ireland-v-wales-07-february-1891-222560/ . 1 April 2016 .
  22. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1891–1900 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Alan Brown. Gabriele Tossani. 9 April 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412231205/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1900.html. 12 April 2015.
  23. Web site: Ireland v Wales, 05 April 1893 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184549/https://www.11v11.com/matches/ireland-v-wales-05-april-1893-222581/ . 15 January 2018 .
  24. Web site: England – International Results 1900–1919 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Barrie Courtney. 21 March 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120326222156/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-intres1900.html. 26 March 2012.
  25. Book: Red Dragons – The Story of Welsh Football . Phil Stead . Y Lolfa . 2013 . 978-1784612368 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071641/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=axsvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT47&lpg=PT47&dq=andy+gara+ireland+wales&source=bl&ots=mwpjaZdL5w&sig=pLpLzaFT6SDrZ_VI9NDEfQU79Ts&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiCzZTDtdjYAhULJ1AKHQVpD9kQ6AEwC3oECBEQAQ#v=onepage&q=andy%20gara%20ireland%20wales&f=false . 2018-01-15 .
  26. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1921–1930 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . Alan Brown . Gabriele Tossani . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110511111038/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1930.html . 11 May 2011 .
  27. Web site: England – International Results 1920–1929 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Barrie Courtney. 20 July 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120405054724/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-intres20.html. 5 April 2012.
  28. News: Double hat-trick legend Joe donated a Northern Ireland cap for the war . Belfast Telegraph . Eddie McIlwane . 2 September 2014 . 14 January 2018.
  29. Web site: England – International Results 1940–1949 – Details. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Barrie Courtney. 21 March 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100324114122/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-intres40.html. 24 March 2010.
  30. Web site: Yugoslavia v Wales, 21 May 1953 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206070917/https://www.11v11.com/matches/yugoslavia-v-wales-21-may-1953-226224/ . 6 February 2018 .
  31. Web site: Wales v Yugoslavia, 22 September 1954 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180114184327/https://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-yugoslavia-22-september-1954-226415/ . 14 January 2018 .
  32. News: Pensioner who dines out on tales of old Chelsea... at the restaurant in his name. Nick Townsend. The Independent. 10 March 2002. 16 November 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160616164054/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/pensioner-who-dines-out-on-tales-of-old-chelsea-at-the-restaurant-in-his-name-9143031.html. 16 June 2016.
  33. Web site: England's Goalscorers – Hattricks and more . England Football Online . 16 November 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131111171221/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamGoals/GoalsHattricks.html . 11 November 2013 .
  34. Web site: Luigi Riva – Goals in International Matches . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . José Luis Pierrend . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160425020634/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/riva-intlg.html . 25 April 2016 .
  35. News: Football: Gould fails grade seven . The Independent . Trevor Haylett . 11 November 1996 . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001438/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gould-fails-grade-seven-1351755.html . 15 January 2018 .
  36. News: Wales restore pride in defeat . The Independent . Paul Walker . 20 August 1997 . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183959/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wales-restore-pride-in-defeat-1246581.html . 14 January 2018 .
  37. News: Italy 4–0 Wales . BBC Sport . 6 September 2003 . 14 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180114190355/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/3199337.stm . 14 January 2018 .
  38. Web site: Alexander Smith . London Hearts . 17 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171104072200/http://londonhearts.com/scotland/players/alexandersmith.html . 4 November 2017 .
  39. Web site: Scotland v Wales, 15 March 1902 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 17 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010226/https://www.11v11.com/matches/scotland-v-wales-15-march-1902-222637/ . 18 January 2018 .
  40. Web site: Scotland 5–1 Wales . Scottish Football Association . 17 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206070917/https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/international-matches/?mid=58041 . 6 February 2018 .
  41. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1901–1910 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . Alan Brown . Gabriele Tossani . 17 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117190744/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/scot-intres1910.html . 17 January 2018 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Wales national football team hat-tricks".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.