Forwards, full-backs and even a goalkeeper all registered hat-tricks in one form or another in Europe’s elite last weekend.
From the port of Naples to the peaks of the Basque Country, the continent’s best delivered a fascinating list of matches marked by individual brilliance. The two Bundesliga favourites: Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, both of whom had high-scoring draws, Barcelona continued his charge at the top of La Liga and Juventus even conceded a goal in La Liga for the first time this season.
Here are the highlights from a weekend of exciting action ahead of an untimely international break.
“Scott is a player who has goals in his blood,” declared Antonio Conte ahead of Napoli’s clash with Cesc Fabregas’ Como on Friday night, “a footballer who has goals in his DNA.”
Within 30 seconds of kick-off, Scott McTominay had lived up to his manager’s big billing. Sweeping Romelu Lukaku’s pass into his path while holding off three pairs of feet nipping at his heels, the first Manchester United the midfielder scored the opening goal in a 3-1 triumph for the early Serie A leaders.
Eintracht Frankfurt came away from the visit of Bayern Munich with a point on Sunday thanks almost entirely to the peerless efficiency of Omar Marmoush.
The BundesligaThe team’s leading scorer found the back of the net with his only two shots of the game, the last of which was a 94th-minute equalizer to conclude the tie 3-3. The only chance Marmoush created was also converted by Hugo Ekitike on a night in which Bayern wasted most of their 24 efforts on goal. “We didn’t have many chances,” Marmoush pointed out accurately, “but we put almost all of them away.”
This time last year, the only contemporary footage of David of Gea that existed came out of their own social media channels. But among the endless reels of training videos, the free agent who left Manchester United He didn’t dare post a clip as impressive as his display for Fiorentina against AC Milan on Sunday.
De Gea couldn’t get a glove on Christian Pulisic’s wonderful volley, but he stopped almost everything else, leaping high to deny penalties from both Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham.
“Trust me,” Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino said after the 2-1 win, “he’s still a monster. He’s a world-class player.”
HAT.
TRICK
DAVITASHVILI.pic.twitter.com/TFIbXUFh4D
— English League 1 (@Ligue1_ENG) October 5, 2024
After completing the first hat-trick of his senior career, Saint-Etienne’s Zuriko Davitashvili sank to his knees and buried his head in the turf. Ecstatic fans at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard charged towards their new hero, a wave of green crashing into the pitch barrier.
There hasn’t been much for the relegated giants to cheer their return to the French top flight this summer, sinking to the nadir of an 8-0 rout a fortnight ago. Davitashvili’s heroics ensured that Saint-Etienne, however briefly, could enjoy a return to League 1.
Barcelona’s visit to Alavés It was barely half an hour when Robert Lewandowski left with three fingers extended. The prolific Pole has rediscovered his best goal-scoring form under his coach at Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick.
“This is the Robert I know, the only Robert I’ve ever known,” Flick said after the game. “In the area, it’s the best.” Outside the box, Raphinha has outdone almost everyone else in La Liga, setting up Lewandowski’s first two goals after a summer full of rumors about his potential output.
There was a gaping hole in the middle of Torino’s backline that Marcus Thuram not only filled but also created. InterGuillermo Maripan’s flexible French forward finished within the first 20 minutes of Saturday’s game at the San Siro, earning the opposition centre-back a red card at the cost of a few stud marks.
Thuram twice found himself unmarked in a depleted backline to launch a pair of headers before sealing a night to remember with a worn volley in the second half. “We’ve come all this way to see Thuram’s goal,” shouted the boisterous home crowd.
“When you’re a goalkeeper facing a penalty you always hope to save it.” Paulo Gazzaniga’s confidence is justified after denying three points from so many different players during Girona’s 2-1 win over a lackluster Athletic Club.
Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams and Ander Herrera all had weak efforts from 12 yards beaten by the former. Tottenham Hotspur stopper After Athletic were ordered to resume their second penalty, the Girona crowd chanted: “Referee, give another”. Gazzaniga also saved it.
