Fermín López bagged his first career hat trick while Marcus Rashford netted twice as Barcelona thrashed Olympiacos 6-1 in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League clash.
The visitors’ resistance collapsed after midfielder Santiago Hezze received a controversial second yellow card in the 57th minute, a decision that left the Greek champions furious, with replays suggesting little to no contact with Marc Casadó.
Before the dismissal, Olympiacos had shown signs of life when Ayoub El Kaabi converted a penalty to make it 2-1. But once reduced to 10 men, they were helpless as Barça ran riot, firing in four goals within 11 devastating minutes.
López, who scored twice before halftime, became the first Spaniard to net a hat trick for Barcelona in the Champions League.
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal also joined the party, calmly slotting home a penalty to extend the lead.
Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, continued his fine European form, taking his tally to four goals in three matches this season.
It was a statement win for the Catalan giants, who punished Olympiacos’ numerical disadvantage with ruthless precision at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
