Rayo Vallecano 0 - 3 Athletic Bilbao: Aritz Aduriz hat-trick earns Athletic Bilbao victory

Posted Monday, November 30, 2015 by PA

Aritz Aduriz fired a hat-trick to take his goals tally for the season to 20 in all competitions as Atletico Bilbao cruised to a 3-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.

The 34-year-old striker, who scored twice in Bilbao's 3-2 Europa League win in Augsburg on Thursday, struck within 60 seconds and converted a first-half penalty before heading his third after the interval as Bilbao secured only their second league win on the road this season.

Bilbao countered swiftly with less than a minute on the clock and after being sent clear by Raul Garcia's pass, Aduriz rounded Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos before steering the ball into an empty net.

Rayo responded through Pablo Hernandez's fierce shot, but were dealt another blow in the 24th minute when Aduriz converted from the penalty spot after Raul Baena had pulled back Raul Garcia in the box.

Juan Carlos kept out Raul Garcia's drive in the 33rd minute and Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte went close with a header before Rayo midfielder Roberto Trashorras blazed wide.

Rayo pushed on early in the second half but were undone again at the back on the hour mark as Aduriz pounced on a defensive error to head home and complete his hat-trick.

Bilbao were reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute when Laporte was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Manucho, a week after the French defender scored an own goal and was at fault for the second in a 2-0 loss to Granada.

Rayo defender Nacho Martinez went close with a long-range shot and Manucho twice headed off target as Rayo pressed in the closing stages, but Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz saved Javi Guerra's point-blank header as the defence held firm.