Aduriz nets five as Athletic Bilbao beats Genk

Tom Webber

Aduriz nets five as Athletic Bilbao beats Genk image

Aritz Aduriz became the first player since 1994 to score five times in a Europa League match as he netted all of Athletic Bilbao's goals in a thrilling 5-3 victory over Genk.

With his five goals, Spain striker Aduriz has doubled his tally in all competitions for the campaign. 

 

The 35-year-old opened the scoring early on at San Mames, before sealing a first-half hat trick with two well-taken penalties.

Genk, which had pulled one back earlier on through the impressive Leon Bailey, moved to within one of Athletic after halftime courtesy of Wilfred Ndidi.

But Aduriz quickly restored the hosts' two-goal cushion and, after Tino-Sven Susic had netted Genk's third, he capped his sensational display with another successful spot kick in stoppage time as all five of his shots on target resulted in goals.

The victory lifts Athletic — currently seventh in La Liga — up to second place in Group F with two games remaining.

Tom Webber