English Premier League
Yasser Zabiri makes Racing Santander history with 21-minute hat-trick against Elche
Moroccan forward Yasser Zabiri made an immediate impact on his first start for Racing Santander, scoring three times in 21 minutes to secure the club’s first victory since returning to La Liga.
Zabiri struck between the 15th and 36th minutes against Elche, turning El Sardinero into a scene of celebration and giving Racing Santander a major boost at the beginning of their league campaign.
The 22-year-old opened the scoring after capitalising on a serious error by goalkeeper Dituro in the 15th minute. Zabiri reacted quickest to seize possession and put the home side ahead.
Just six minutes later, he took advantage of further uncertainty in the Elche defence before producing a fine finish that left the Argentine goalkeeper unable to intervene.
Zabiri completed his hat-trick in the 36th minute with a direct strike, sparking more celebrations in the stands and placing him firmly at the centre of attention on his first appearance in Racing Santander’s starting XI.
The forward joined Racing Santander on loan from French club Rennes after making only six appearances during the second half of last season. He needed just one match as a starter to deliver a striking statement of his attacking ability.
His performance also adds to an already notable international record. Zabiri was one of the leading figures in Morocco’s triumph at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring twice in the final to help his country claim the title.
The three goals against Elche put Zabiri immediately into the early race for the La Liga scoring crown. He currently shares the lead with Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, having become one of the first players to score a hat-trick this season.
All three goals came within a 21-minute spell, raising the possibility that Zabiri could have added to his total during the match and ensuring the Moroccan was among the standout performers of the opening round of fixtures.
The achievement also placed him in a select group of Moroccan players to have scored a hat-trick in La Liga during the 21st century. He is the fourth, following Youssef En-Nesyri, Youssef El-Arabi and Mounir El Hamdaoui.
Zabiri is also the second-fastest African player of the current century to score a La Liga hat-trick. His three goals in 21 minutes came just behind the record set by Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o, who scored three times in 19 minutes against Almeria in 2008.
His display further connected him with Racing Santander’s history at El Sardinero. Zabiri became the first Racing Santander player to score a La Liga hat-trick at the stadium since Javi Guerrero achieved the feat against Murcia in 2004.
For Racing Santander, the result marked a memorable return to winning ways in Spain’s top flight. For Zabiri, it was an extraordinary first start and one that has already made him a major name to watch in the new campaign.
