Ángel Di María scored all three of Juventus’ goals in the Italian side’s 3-0 victory vs. Nantes to advance to the Europa League Round of 16. The Argentine was unstoppable and set the tone five minutes in.
In the fifth minute an insane Di María goal put Juventus ahead 2-1 on aggregate. Look at the curve on this shot.
Di María goal vs. Nantes
ÁNGEL DI MARÍA STOP THAT. pic.twitter.com/NgYfrwUJLf
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2023
¡Uuuuuuuufffff!
G O L A Z O de Di María @FCNantes 0-1 @juventusfcesEN VIVO: https://t.co/k9Nlma3MJi
TUDN#UEL | #TuEuropaLeague | #Nantes | #Juventus pic.twitter.com/jSLqGThu44— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 23, 2023
According to Di María’s FIFA 23 stats the 34-year-old has 92 on his curve. That checks out.
Next year EA Sports should consider giving his 74 finishing statistic a boost.
Di María continued to terrorize the Nantes defense. In the 17th minute Nantes defender Nicolas Pallois was given a red card after denying a Di María goal with his arm.
Ángel Di María has been a thorn in Nantes side as they are down to 10 as Nicolas Pallois is sent off for a handball on the line. pic.twitter.com/kZuFioKCHm
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2023
Di María confidently stepped up to score the ensuing penalty kick.
Ángel Di María has his first brace for Juventus. pic.twitter.com/bUJV60ex5f
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2023
His third goal required goal-line technology as no one initially realized he had secured a hat trick. In the 78th minute it looked like Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont had made a great save to deny Di María, but a closer look revealed the ball had fully crossed the line.
ÁNGEL DI MARÍA
HAS HIS FIRST JUVENTUS HAT-TRICK. pic.twitter.com/ODFeGZbTvG— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2023
This is the first hat trick for Di María in over five years. His last was during a Coupe de France game with PSG on Feb. 6, 2018.
Juventus have had a miserable season amid points being docked, scandals and finishing third in the Champions League group stage. At least Di María has supplied one memorable moment for the 2022-23 campaign.
