Gabriel Martinelli scores 30-minute hattrick

The Brazilian struck twice before half-time and completed his hat-trick early in the second half on only his third appearance for Al-Hilal.

Gabriel Martinelli scored a 30-minute hat-trick for Al-Hilal in Saturday’s 6-0 Saudi Pro League win away to Al-Taawoun, his first goals since leaving Arsenal late in the summer transfer window.

It was Martinelli’s third appearance for Al-Hilal and the former Arsenal forward wasted little time making his mark.

Ollie Watkins had already opened the scoring when Martinelli struck in the 18th minute, reacting quickest to control a loose ball inside the area before finishing low into the corner.

His second arrived in the 43rd minute. Watkins supplied the pass and Martinelli ran on to it before sitting a defender on his arse and converting from close range to send Al-Hilal into the interval firmly in control.

Martinelli completed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half, turning in a low delivery from Crysencio Summerville from about a yard out.

The Brazilian was then substituted in the 55th minute, having scored three goals in a 32-minute spell.

Watkins added his second in the 53rd minute before Sultan Mandesh completed the scoring in the 75th.

It was also the second senior hat-trick of his career and his first since Arsenal’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Portsmouth at the start of the year.

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