First in the world to do this: Alex Baena's unique hat-trick
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 20.07.26. | 17:26
Not even Lionel Messi has done it
Spain's World Cup triumph has been accompanied by a flood of remarkable records, both collective and individual, underlining La Roja's status as the dominant force in world football.
Luis de la Fuente's side conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, surpassing the previous Spanish record of two goals allowed on their way to the 2010 World Cup title in South Africa. They also became the first team to keep seven clean sheets at a single World Cup, although the expanded 48-team format introduced an extra knockout round.
Spain also set a new international record by extending their unbeaten run to 38 matches (29 wins, nine draws), eclipsing Italy's previous mark. To top it all off, they are now the first nation to hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously.
Several personal milestones followed as well. Luis de la Fuente became the oldest coach ever to win the FIFA World Cup, while Fabian Ruiz maintained his extraordinary record of never losing a senior international match for Spain.
Yet none of those achievements is quite as unique as the one belonging to Alex Baena.
The Atletico Madrid winger has accomplished something no footballer in history had managed before: winning the European Championship, Olympic gold medal and the FIFA World Cup in three consecutive international tournaments.
Thousands of players, including many of the greatest names the game has ever seen, have dreamed of holding all three major international titles at the same time. But no one had completed the trio in uninterrupted succession - until now.
Baena's remarkable run began at UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, where he was part of De la Fuente's title-winning squad.
Just weeks later, he answered the call from Spain Under-23 coach Santi Denia and played a key role as La Roja claimed Olympic gold in Paris. Spain defeated hosts France in the final, overcoming a star-studded side featuring Michael Olise, Manu Kone, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki, with Thierry Henry on the touchline.
One year later came the crowning achievement.
Spain conquered the world in the United States, Mexico and Canada, capping another dominant campaign with victory over Argentina in the World Cup final and giving Baena an unprecedented third consecutive major international title.
For the sake of accuracy, Baena is not the first footballer to own all three honours. That distinction was previously achieved by Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, who won Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008, lifted the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and claimed the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.