Zabiri's hat‑trick ignites Racing's LaLiga EA SPORTS surge
At the El Sardinero, Yassir Zabiri delivered a dazzling hat‑trick against Elche, netting three times within 20 minutes to give Racing Club de Santander its first Primera División win of the season, a performance highlighted by EFE’s Pedro Puente Hoyos.
Rapid hat‑trick burst
The trio of goals unfolded in a span of just 20 minutes, each capitalising on clear mistakes by Elche. The first came after a long ball was intercepted outside the box, allowing Zabiri to tap into an empty net following a goalkeeper error. The second arrived five minutes later when he slipped a pass into the space between the Ilicitana defence and finished with composure.
Alongside Zabiri, Iñigo Vicente supplied a pinpoint cross that set up the third strike, while Sergio Canales continued to showcase his quality on his return to the club he loves. New signing Iván Martín also made his debut, wearing the verdiblanca shirt for the first time.
Historical context and aftermath
Opta Jose recorded that Zabiri became the fourth Moroccan of the 21st century to score a hat‑trick in LaLiga EA SPORTS, joining Youssef En‑Nesyri, Youssef El‑Arabi and Munir El‑Hamdaoui. This rare feat places him among the competition’s leading scorers.
Andrés Martín’s knee sprain clouds Racing’s win over Elche
The second half saw Elche surge, creating two consecutive goals that rattled Racing’s defence in the closing minutes. Goalkeeper Agirrezabala made several crucial saves, while striker Buba Sangaré’s attempts kept the pressure alive.
The home crowd rose to their feet to applaud Zabiri, who left the pitch to a standing ovation before the introduction of Villalibre. The atmosphere at Campos de Sport was electric, underscoring the impact of his performance.
En the post‑match interview, the coach praised the attacking display. Racing Club de Santander now knows what winning feels like in the Primera División, a morale boost that could shape their campaign ahead as they aim to stay consistent in LaLiga EA SPORTS.