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England manager Thomas Tuchel has hailed Bukayo Saka after scoring a hat-trick in a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the bronze medal match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Miami.
In the post-match, Tuchel made a humorous admission that he was so caught up in the flow and demands of the match that he didn’t even realize Saka had scored a hattrick until after the final whistle.
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He also explained his decision to leave Saka out of the starting lineup in the semi-final defeat against Argentina.
He cited the physical toll of previous matches and stated he had a tactical feeling that Morgan Rogers would offer something special with his physicality.
“He did everything right,’ Tuchel said of Saka after the France win. ‘I had just a feeling in the semi-final for Morgan Rogers that he would be involved in something special. That was it.
“The game was so in demand that we were forced into changes because of cramps and flow of the game.
“Bukayo showed he was a key player, that was never a doubt. I was not even aware he had a hat-trick (against France). I lost the overview of the goalscorers.”
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England’s third-place finish at the World Cup was their best effort since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966 as Saka and Tuchel walk away with their heads held high.
Following the heartbreak against Argentina, Saka sent a clear message regarding his availability to the coaching staff, telling reporters post-match: “I’m fit. I’m fit”.
