Scoring three goals in 36 first-half minutes, Yassir Zabiri has earned a place in AS’s Team of the Week for La Liga Matchday 3, following a hat-trick that carried Racing Santander to a 3-2 win over Elche.
The match, played at El Sardinero, marked Racing Santander’s first victory since returning to LaLiga. Zabiri, a 21-year-old Moroccan forward on loan from Stade Rennais, was making his first league start for the club. He made the most of it, opening the scoring in the 15th minute after capitalizing on a mistake by Elche goalkeeper Dituro.
He doubled the lead six minutes later, then completed his treble in the 36th minute with a powerful left-footed finish, described by some outlets as a “golazo de tijera.” By halftime, Racing led 3-0, a cushion that proved decisive despite a late Elche fightback through Buba Sangaré and Fer Niño, who scored in the 78th and 79th minutes respectively.
Zabiri’s performance stood out not only for its timing but for its quality. He received a perfect 10/10 rating from Sofascore, the highest individual mark of the entire matchday, surpassing players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid.
That statistic alone explains why AS included him in its Team of the Week, alongside the broader context of his rapid rise this season.
Before this match, Zabiri had not started a LaLiga game for Racing Santander. His hat-trick against Elche brought his season tally to three goals in three matchdays, all scored in this single appearance.
The Moroccan striker, a former U20 world champion, is spending the season on loan from Rennes, a move that now looks like a shrewd decision for both club and player. His breakout form echoes the promise shown by fellow young talent Eliesse Ben Seghir, another rising figure among Morocco’s attacking prospects.
For Morocco’s football followers, Zabiri’s emergence is worth tracking closely. A young striker delivering a headline performance in one of Europe’s top leagues adds depth to the pool of attacking options available to the national team setup.
His hat-trick against Elche was not just a personal milestone; it was the platform for Racing Santander’s first win of the campaign, and a signal that his loan spell could shape his path toward bigger opportunities.
Get the Atlas Lions Weekly
The biggest Morocco football stories, player updates and analysis—delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
