Euro-Star: Villarreal hat-trick hero Sorloth takes centre stage

 

Euro-Star returns this week as we take a look at one of the top rated performances on the continent. We put the vote to our followers on X and with a 60.1% share; Alexander Sorloth takes top spot, breezing past Kaj Sierhaus, Phillip Tietz and Pepe Aquino. 

 

Villarreal extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 5-1 mauling of Granada, and claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Sorloth was vital as the Yellow Submarine claimed all the spoils with the striker on hand to bag a hat-trick in the resounding victory. 

 

Of the 12 league goals Sorloth has now scored this season, six have come since the turn of the year with the 28-year-old making a flying start to 2024. His performance on Sunday marked his second best rated performance of the campaign as Sorloth returned a WhoScored rating of 9.39. 

 

 

It was the Norwegian who set Villarreal on their path to all three points, firing Marcelino's side ahead in the seventh minute, before netting his and Villarreal's second in the 19th minute. Sorloth then completed his hat-trick midway through the second half as he struck with all three shots. 

 

In addition to his three goals, Sorloth also drew one foul and completed one dribble, while he also won one aerial duel against Granada. While Sortloth didn't offer much on and off the ball in the win, he struck when it mattered, and that's all you can ask from a striker. Villarreal are enduring a sub-par season but their start to 2024 suggests they could be in for a successful second half to the campaign. 

 

A European push may be off the cards but they can take solace that they now sit 13 points clear of the relegation zone. The aim will now be to finish as high as possible with a view to moulding a squad capable of mounting a European push next term. 

 

A few more performances from Sorloth similar to Sunday's showing against Granada will certainly aid Marcelino's side as they look to end the season strongly.

Euro-Star: Villarreal hat-trick hero Sorloth takes centre stage