News

Best Player In The World Right Now? Lieke Martens Makes Case With Must-See Hat Trick

Barcelona Femení's remarkable 2021-22 season continued Wednesday with a 5-0 victory over Sporting Huelva at Johan Cruyff Stadium. Dutch winger Lieke Martens has been the star of the show recently, and she went top of the Primera División scoring chart with a hat trick after 73 minutes before also assisting on an Alexia Putellas goal.

The first Martens goal was a right-footed volley in the 34th-minute that was hit with too much power for goalkeeper Chelsea Ashurst to deal with.

Then, after having her initial shot blocked in the 62nd, Martens quickly struck another effort inside the far post.

The 29-year-old saved her best for last: a rocket from 22 yards out that left Ashurst rooted to the spot. That's 15 goals in 15 league appearances for Martens. 

Fridolina Rolfö made it 4-0 off a beautiful Putellas feed.  

Putellas got on the end of a Martens corner for the fifth and final goal.

With 17 wins from 17 matches, Barça has already opened up an 11-point lead over second-place Real Sociedad with 13 matchdays remaining. Focus has already probably somewhat shifted to the end of March, when Barcelona and Real Madrid clash in a historic Champions League quarterfinal. 

The first leg in Madrid is on Tuesday, Mar. 22. The return leg in Barcelona is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 30 and it's confirmed for the Camp Nou – the first time Barcelona Femení will play inside the 99,354-seat stadium with fans in attendance. Tickets just recently went on sale but have already surpassed 50,000 for El Clásico. 

In other Barcelona Femení news, star winger Caroline Graham Hansen has just been awarded the Golden Ball as Norway's best player of 2021.

Videos you might like