Sancet’s Hat-Trick Powers Athletic Club to Victory Over Girona
Oihan Sancet delivered a stellar performance, netting a hat-trick as Athletic Club extended their impressive unbeaten streak in La Liga to 14 matches. Their dominant 3-0 win at San Mames handed Girona their sixth defeat in their last eight competitive away fixtures.
Despite their early UEFA Champions League exit, Girona’s historic European campaign remains a proud milestone for the club. Now, Michel’s men shift their focus toward securing continental qualification for the second consecutive season.
Girona managed to withstand Athletic’s early dominance, limiting the home side to minimal clear-cut chances in the opening half-hour. However, their resistance was eventually broken, and Athletic took full control before halftime.
Paulo Gazzaniga initially kept Girona level with a crucial save from Iñaki Williams’ diving header. However, the visitors’ luck ran out when Miguel Gutiérrez was penalized by VAR for stepping on Mikel Jauregizar in the box.
Gazzaniga had previously denied three penalties in the reverse fixture, but this time, Sancet confidently dispatched his spot-kick into the top left corner.
Just before the break, Athletic doubled their lead. Alex Berenguer’s delicate chipped cross found Sancet, who powered a header into the same top-left corner, marking his 10th La Liga goal of the season—a personal best.
The second half started at a slower pace, but Athletic remained firmly in control. Sancet missed an early chance to complete his hat-trick after misjudging a through ball from Maroan Sannadi. However, his moment arrived in the 79th minute.
After Williams regained possession, he set up Sancet, who expertly chipped the ball over Gazzaniga, sealing his third career hat-trick and putting the result beyond doubt.
This victory keeps Athletic Club firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot, narrowing the gap to five points from the top while extending their lead over fifth-placed Villarreal to seven points.
Meanwhile, Girona’s European ambitions suffered another blow, as a fifth defeat in six matches leaves them trailing sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano by four points.
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