emirates7 - Alexander Sørloth scored four times in just 30 minutes to lead Atlético Madrid to a commanding 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad in Saturday’s La Liga clash.
The Norwegian striker's explosive start secured third place for Atlético, while Sociedad slipped down to 12th in the table.
Sørloth etched his name into the history books by completing a hat-trick within the opening 11 minutes—the fastest in La Liga history—surpassing previous early trebles scored by Carles Bestit (1929) and Mundo (1941), who each netted their third by the 15th minute.
Though typically used as an impact substitute by coach Diego Simeone this season, the 29-year-old proved his value from the first whistle. Facing his former club, Sørloth opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a clinical strike from a Pablo Barrios cross.
He doubled the lead three minutes later with a fierce shot from the edge of the box that left goalkeeper Alex Remiro no chance. Just a minute after that, he capitalized on a defensive blunder to complete his hat-trick from close range.
Sørloth bagged his fourth in the 30th minute, smashing in a low cross from Javi Galán to cap off a dominant first half.
Champions League Race Heats Up
Earlier in the day, Villarreal kept their Champions League hopes alive with a dramatic 1-0 win at Girona. The fifth-placed side, needing a top-five finish to qualify, left it late—Cameroon-born midfielder Karl Etta Eyong headed in the winner in the 89th minute from an Alfonso Pedraza cross.
Girona, who were missing head coach Michel Sanchez due to a precautionary hospital stay for an undisclosed health issue, struggled to cope with Villarreal’s pressure throughout.
The win brings Villarreal level on 61 points with fourth-place Athletic Bilbao and creates a four-point gap over sixth-placed Real Betis, who host Osasuna on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mallorca—currently ninth—kept their European aspirations alive with a 2-1 win over already-relegated Real Valladolid.
The weekend’s La Liga action will culminate in a high-stakes El Clásico on Sunday as league leaders Barcelona take on second-placed Real Madrid in a match pivotal to the title race.
The Norwegian striker's explosive start secured third place for Atlético, while Sociedad slipped down to 12th in the table.
Sørloth etched his name into the history books by completing a hat-trick within the opening 11 minutes—the fastest in La Liga history—surpassing previous early trebles scored by Carles Bestit (1929) and Mundo (1941), who each netted their third by the 15th minute.
Though typically used as an impact substitute by coach Diego Simeone this season, the 29-year-old proved his value from the first whistle. Facing his former club, Sørloth opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a clinical strike from a Pablo Barrios cross.
He doubled the lead three minutes later with a fierce shot from the edge of the box that left goalkeeper Alex Remiro no chance. Just a minute after that, he capitalized on a defensive blunder to complete his hat-trick from close range.
Sørloth bagged his fourth in the 30th minute, smashing in a low cross from Javi Galán to cap off a dominant first half.
Champions League Race Heats Up
Earlier in the day, Villarreal kept their Champions League hopes alive with a dramatic 1-0 win at Girona. The fifth-placed side, needing a top-five finish to qualify, left it late—Cameroon-born midfielder Karl Etta Eyong headed in the winner in the 89th minute from an Alfonso Pedraza cross.
Girona, who were missing head coach Michel Sanchez due to a precautionary hospital stay for an undisclosed health issue, struggled to cope with Villarreal’s pressure throughout.
The win brings Villarreal level on 61 points with fourth-place Athletic Bilbao and creates a four-point gap over sixth-placed Real Betis, who host Osasuna on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mallorca—currently ninth—kept their European aspirations alive with a 2-1 win over already-relegated Real Valladolid.
The weekend’s La Liga action will culminate in a high-stakes El Clásico on Sunday as league leaders Barcelona take on second-placed Real Madrid in a match pivotal to the title race.