England's 1966 World Cup hero Geoff Hurst was gracious in his response after France star Kylian Mbappe matched his feat in the 2022 final.
Mbappe netted three times - twice from the penalty spot - as Didier Deschamps' side came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to force a shoot-out against Argentina at Lusail Stadium. The 2018 World Cup winners failed to go back-to-back, though, with Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni failing from the spot as Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties.
When PSG frontman Mbappe completed his treble, it was met with a dig at Hurst from ITV commentator Ally McCoist. The former Scotland international joked that it was the first World Cup final hat-trick where all three goals crossed the line, an allusion to Hurst's contentious effort in the 1966 final against West Germany.
"Many congratulations to Mbappe, whatever happens. I've had a great run!" Hurst wrote on Twitter.
Mbappe's first goal came from the penalty spot around 10 minutes from the end of normal time, after Nicolas Otamendi fouled Randal Kolo Muani. His second arrived less than two minutes later as he volleyed beyond Emi Martinez, and he beat Martinez for a third time towards the end of extra-time after a Gonzalo Montiel handball.
The 23-year-old also put France ahead in the shoot-out, but Coman was denied by Martinez and Argentina put away all four of their penalties. Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Sevilla defender Montiel all found a way past Hugo Lloris in the French goal to give the Copa America holders another trophy and their first World Cup since 1986.
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While it won't be much consolation, Mbappe's treble saw him end the World Cup as the Golden Boot winner. After three goals in the group stage and two in the round of 16, he ended the tournament with eight goals - just one more than Messi.
The 23-year-old now has 12 World Cup goals to his name across just two editions of the tournament. That's one fewer than Messi, who was playing his 26th and last World Cup game at Lusail Stadium, and four behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose.
Ahead of the game, Mbappe had been greeted with a chorus of boos from Argentina supporters. Injury and illness had harmed France's preparations, but the man named young player of the tournament in 2018 almost led his team to victory all on his own.
Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante were among those injured before the tournament, while Olivier Giroud - laid low with a virus during the week - only lasted 40 minutes. Argentina eventually prevailed, despite almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but Mbappe couldn't have done a lot more.
