Lázaro Vinicius shines after grabbing sensational hat-trick

UD Almeria striker Lázaro Vinicius, who is only 21 years old, was the centre figure in the match played against RCD Mallorca, which meant that the Rojiblancos took an almost definitive step forward towards LaLiga Santander survival. The Brazilian, who arrived last summer from first-tier CR Flamengo, has proved his professional footballing skills gradually. His age, the adaptation to Spanish football, the intra-team competition... are aspects that have not enabled him to be a UD Almeria starting XIs regular throughout the season, but every time Lázaro has been in action, he has showed his strengths and enormous potential.

 

Until playing the match against RCD Mallorca, the Belo Horizonte native had played 495 minutes in 15 games. He was handed starting spots in three of them and he came on as a sub in 12. He had found the back of the net three times, two of them at the Santiago Bernabéu and at El Sadar. 

 

Head coach Rubi, who is well aware of Lázaro's progress, gave him the opportunity on this Matchday, influenced by Léo Baptistão's injury, and the Brazilian seized the opportunity in spectacular fashion. He put in a brilliant performance and proved his might in his fourth start of the campaign as he grabbed the perfect hat-trick; a clinical opener inside the area, and two more wonder goals from the edge of the box and finishing off a well-timed cross from team-mate Luis Suárez. 

 

With 569 minutes clocked, Lazaro Vinicius is now the team's top scorer with 6 goals to his name, the same as injured El Bilal Touré. UD Almería also have its own Vinicius: Lázaro!