Rabat – Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri enjoyed a spectacular start to his new chapter in Spain, scoring a hat-trick to inspire Racing Santander to victory over Elche in La Liga on Friday.
Zabiri found the net three times in the opening 36 minutes, delivering a standout attacking performance in his first official appearance for the Spanish club.
The 21-year-old arrived at Racing Santander this summer from French side Rennes on loan and immediately made his mark on Spanish football.
His three goals came in different fashion, underlining his finishing ability and attacking versatility. One of the goals was particularly spectacular, coming through an acrobatic effort reminiscent of the kind of finish he produced during the World Cup in Chile.
Zabiri’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award. He received recognition from Spanish media, his teammates, and the coaching staff following his impressive display.
The hat-trick also immediately placed the Moroccan among La Liga’s leading scorers. According to Almountakhab, Zabiri temporarily joined Kylian Mbappé, Raphinha, and Barcelona’s Fermín López at the top of the scoring charts with three goals.
The performance is particularly significant for Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who has been closely monitoring Moroccan players across Europe ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Zabiri’s resurgence comes after a difficult spell in France. His explosive debut in Spain could therefore give Ouahbi another attacking option as he continues his European tour and assesses potential selections for the Atlas Lions. Almountakhab reported that the coach is expected to monitor Zabiri, along with Moroccan forwards such as Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and other players in La Liga.
