Zabiri scores three in 21 minutes, Elche score two in two, and Racing hold on
Yassir Zabiri had a hat-trick by the 36th minute. Elche had 60% of the ball, scored on 78 and 79, and ran out of time — Racing's first win of the season.
Racing Santander had taken one point from their first two matches while playing well enough to deserve more. On 36 minutes at El Sardinero they were 3-0 up and Yassir Zabiri had all three.
He scored on 15, on 21 and on 36 — a hat-trick inside 21 minutes, in a match his side would finish with 40% of the ball.
Two goals in two minutes, and a long finish
Elche spent the second half doing what they had done at Riazor and at home to Barcelona: passing (481 accurate, 87%), winning corners (ten to Racing's five), and arriving late. Buba Sangaré scored on 78 and Fernando Niño on 79.
That gave them eleven minutes plus stoppage time to find a third. Racing's goalkeeper made five saves across the evening; the last of them mattered most.
Match facts
- 15' — Yassir Zabiri (Racing Santander)
- 21' — Yassir Zabiri (Racing Santander)
- 36' — Yassir Zabiri (Racing Santander)
- 78' — Buba Sangaré (Elche)
- 79' — Fernando Niño (Elche)
| Stat | Racing Santander | Elche |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Shots on target | 6 | 7 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.50 | 1.06 |
| Big chances created | 3 | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 304 (80%) | 481 (87%) |
| Corners | 5 | 10 |
| Fouls committed | 17 | 19 |
| Saves | 5 | 3 |
What's next
A first win lifts Racing to four points from three, which is a fair return for a promoted side that has been the better team on the ball in most of its matches and finally got the finishing to match. Elche have one point from three and nine goals conceded.
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