Nsue Joins Ronaldo: Oldest Players to Score Hat Tricks at FIFA World Cup, AFCON, Euro, and Asian Cup

• Emilio Nsue became the oldest player to record a hat-trick at AFCON on Thursday
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup
• Michel Platini entered the record books after bagging two hat-tricks at Euro 1984

Emilio Nsue etched his name into the record books on Thursday.

The Equatorial Guinea star became the oldest player to record a hat-trick in the Africa Cup of Nations after scoring three goals past Guinea Bissau in their Group A clash.

Sports Brief looks at the oldest players to score hat-tricks in the major international football tournaments following Nsue’s historic feat.

FIFA World Cup – Cristiano Ronaldo (2018)

Ronaldo has numerous goal-scoring records in his collection.

One mark that he is proud to hold is that of being the oldest player to score a FIFA World Cup hat trick.

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He accomplished the feat against Spain in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, per Fox Sports.

The Portuguese star scored three goals against the 2010 champions at the age of 33 years and 130 days old to help his side salvage a 3-3 draw.

European Championship – Michel Platini (1984)

Michel Platini will forever be remembered for his goal-scoring exploits in the 1984 European Championship.

He recorded two hat-tricks in that tournament in a remarkable three-day span against Belgium and Yugoslavia, per UEFA.com.

He set the record on June 19, 1984, just two days shy of his 29th birthday. The French captain helped overturn a 1-0 deficit against Yugoslavia in the second half.

He tied the match with a left-footed strike in the 59th minute before giving France the lead with a header in the 62nd minute.

Platini made it 3-1 in the 77th minute via a stunning free kick. The match ended 3-2 in favour of the Frenchmen.

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Africa Cup of Nations – Emilio Nsue (2024)

Nsue made history on Thursday, becoming the oldest player to record a hat-trick at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He achieved the feat in Equatorial Guinea’s 4-2 win over Guinea Bissau, scoring thrice at the age of 34 years and 110 days old.

He became the first player since Soufiane Alloudi in 2008 to score a hat-trick at AFCON.

AFC Asian Cup – Vitalik Lux (2019)

Lux made history in 2019, becoming the oldest player to score a hat-trick at the AFC Asian Cup.

He accomplished the feat in Kyrgyzstan’s 3-1 win over the Philippines in the group stage, scoring thrice at the age of 29 years, 10 months, and 20 days.

Lux is also the last player to record a hat trick in the quadrennial event.

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Nsue's hat trick powers Equatorial Guinea

Sports Brief recently reported on Equatorial Guinea's win over Guinea Bissau.

Nsue starred in that contest, scoring in the 21st, 51st, and 61st minutes.

Josete Miranda scored the other goal for Equatorial Guinea.