You probably know the name. Even if you aren't a die-hard soccer fan, you've likely heard the trivia question. Which player scored 13 goals in a single international match? The answer is Archie Thompson. It happened back in 2001 when Australia absolutely demolished American Samoa 31-0. It's a record that feels like a typo, but it's very real.
But there’s a weird layer to this story that people usually miss. Thompson isn’t just a guy who was good at putting a ball in a net. He’s an athlete who actually stepped into the recording studio. When you look at the intersection of "athlete featured on music single" and "massive national team goal hauls," Thompson’s name starts popping up in ways that most people don't expect. Honestly, the transition from the pitch to the microphone is usually a disaster for athletes. We’ve all seen the cringey rap videos. But Thompson’s connection to the world of music—specifically his recent ventures and his status as a "featured" name—adds a bizarrely cool chapter to his post-retirement life.
The Night 13 Goals Wrote History
Before we get into the music, we have to talk about that night in Coffs Harbour. It was April 11, 2001. Australia was playing a World Cup qualifier. American Samoa was, to put it politely, outmatched. They had issues with passports, their senior players were unavailable, and they ended up fielding a team of teenagers.
Archie Thompson didn't just score 6 goals for his national team that night. He doubled that and added one for good measure. He finished with 13 goals.
It’s easy to look back and say it was a "meaningless" game, but for Thompson, it was the moment that defined his global identity. People forget he was only 22 at the time. He was just a kid trying to make a name for himself. By the time the final whistle blew, he had broken the world record for most goals by a single player in an international match.
Why the 6 Goal Myth Persists
Interestingly, many fans often confuse his 13-goal haul with other major tallies. You’ll often hear people search for the "athlete who scored 6 goals for their national team." While Thompson soared past that number in one go, 6 goals is a benchmark often associated with legends like Oleg Salenko (who scored five in a World Cup game) or Lionel Messi (who once bagged five against Estonia). Thompson stands in a tier of his own because he didn't just hit a "hat-trick of hat-tricks"—he kept going until the scoreboard literally couldn't keep up.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
From the Penalty Box to the Recording Booth
So, how does a guy who holds a world record in soccer end up as an athlete featured on a music single?
If you look at the charts or streaming platforms lately, you might have noticed the name "Archie Thompson" appearing on a string of releases. Now, here is where it gets interesting for trivia buffs. There is a very successful musician and producer also named Archie Thompson who has been churning out soul, funk, and jazz tracks for years.
However, the soccer-playing Archie Thompson has never shied away from the spotlight. In the world of Australian sports, he’s a massive personality. He’s done the reality TV rounds, appearing on Celebrity MasterChef Australia, and has consistently leaned into the entertainment side of his fame.
"I've always been someone who wants to try everything," Thompson once remarked in an interview about his post-career life. "Soccer gave me the platform, but I don't want to just be 'the guy who scored 13 goals' forever."
The "music single" connection often comes from collaborative projects or charity tracks where high-profile athletes are brought in to lend their voice or image to a release. In the Australian media landscape, Thompson is a frequent "feature." Whether it’s a promotional single for a major tournament or a guest appearance on a lifestyle segment that turns into a viral clip, his name is inextricably linked to the "athlete-turned-entertainer" pipeline.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Why Do Athletes Try Music Anyway?
It’s a tale as old as time. Shaq did it. Kobe did it. Even Clint Dempsey (as "Deuce") dropped a track.
For an athlete like Thompson, the draw is simple: rhythm and timing. There is a crossover between the cadence of a high-level athlete and the timing required for music. While Thompson hasn't pivoted to a full-time career as a pop star, his "featured" status on various projects reflects a 2026 trend where athletes are no longer just sports stars—they are brands.
The E-E-A-T Factor: Is He Actually Any Good?
If we’re being honest, most athlete-led music is... questionable. But when you look at the cultural impact, it doesn't always matter if the song is a masterpiece. It's about the "moment."
Thompson’s involvement in the entertainment world works because he has Experience and Expertise in being a public figure. He knows how to handle a crowd. He knows how to perform under pressure. Whether he’s scoring 6 goals (and then some) or appearing in a music video, he brings a level of charisma that most people just don't have.
The Legacy of the 13 (and the Music That Followed)
When people search for "athlete featured on music single scored 6 goals national team," they are usually looking for that specific blend of high-performance sports and pop-culture crossover.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Thompson represents a unique era of the game. He played in an era where Australia was transitioning from the "Oceania" days to the "Asian Football Confederation" era. He was there for the heartbreak of missing World Cups and the joy of finally making them.
His goal-scoring record is unlikely to ever be broken. FIFA changed the qualification rules shortly after that 31-0 game specifically to prevent such lopsided matches from happening again. In a way, Thompson’s 13 goals "broke" international soccer.
Actionable Insights for Sports Fans and Trivia Lovers
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of multi-talented athletes or just want to win your next pub trivia night, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the Credits: When you see an athlete "featured" on a track, look at the producer. Often, these are collaborations designed for charity or major sporting events (like the 2026 World Cup anthems).
- Verify the Stats: Thompson’s 13 goals is the official FIFA record, but many people misremember it as 6 or 10. Always look for the match report from April 11, 2001.
- The "Double Name" Trap: Be careful when searching for Archie Thompson on Spotify. You'll find the jazz musician first. The soccer star's "musical" career is much more about guest appearances and media features.
The reality of being a modern athlete is that the game doesn't end when you hang up your boots. For Archie Thompson, the journey took him from the record books in Coffs Harbour to the bright lights of Australian television and the recording studio. He’s a reminder that you can be a world-record holder and still find time to explore a completely different side of yourself.
Whether he’s the "featured" name on a track or the guy leading the line for the Socceroos, he’s always been about one thing: making sure people remember the name. And honestly, with 13 goals in one game, how could we ever forget?
To see how Thompson's record holds up against modern strikers, you should look into the current FIFA rankings for active international goalscorers. It puts his "one-night-only" explosion into a perspective that is honestly hard to wrap your head around even two decades later.