Tajon Buchanan produced the performance of his career with a hat-trick as Villarreal thrashed Girona 5-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica, making it two wins from two to start their LaLiga EA Sports campaign.
Softfootball reports that the Canadian winger, scoring the first treble of his career, became only the second Canadian player to net a hat-trick in Europe's top five leagues this century, underlining his growing influence in Marcelino's side.
The contest was effectively over by halftime as Villarreal struck four times in a blistering opening 28 minutes. Nicolas Pepe set the tone after just seven minutes, punishing a defensive lapse to slot past Vladyslav Krapyvtsov. Buchanan then lit up the night with a stunning solo effort on 16 minutes, surging down the right flank before unleashing a thunderous strike into the roof of the net.