Midfielder of the Azerbaijani national football team and Spanish FC Eibar Eddi Israfilov played against FC Barcelona yesterday.
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Eibar were handed a lifeline when Javier Mascherano saw a straight red card for protesting with the referee seven minutes from time.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique described striker Luis Suarez as “irreplaceable” after the Uruguayan’s hat trick in the Catalan side’s 3-1 win over Eibar.
Eibar surprised early on at the Nou Camp with a Borja Baston goal in the tenth minute, but Suarez helped the defending champions rally with goals in the 21st, 48th and 85th minutes. Luis Enrique told his club’s news site this week “This win strengthens us”.
Eibar, who were unbeaten on the road before today’s match, took a shock lead in the 10th minute when Verdi slotted in the rebound after Keko’s shot was parried away by Barcelona Claudio Bravo.
It was Suarez’s second hat trick in his Barcelona career. Sergio Busquets played a wonderful lofted ball towards Sandro Ramirez on the right and the youngster volleyed into the area, where Suarez rose to crash a header into the net.
After an initial adjustment period, the forward found his feet and powered the Blaugrana to the treble, playing alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Victory takes Barca level with Real Madrid on 21 points, but Los Blancos remain on top thanks to their superior goal difference.
The strikes against Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain were crucial in taking Barcelona to the Champions League final and then he got the all-important second goal that put them ahead for the second time against Juventus in the Berlin final.
“We gifted them the first goal and that’s where the difficulties start against a team like Eibar”.
Last week, Neymar scored four and this week it was Suarez who struck gold.
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The Basques mustered draws with Levante (2-2), Celta Vigo (1-1), and Sevilla (1-1), with the only victory coming against Las Palmas (2-0).
