Jon Bautista scored a perfect hat-trick to lead Eibar to a 3-0 rout of Albacete in the Segunda División. The striker was the standout figure in a match the Basque side won with ruthless efficiency despite having less of the ball, as reported by ca.sports.yahoo.com on Tuesday.
Gaizka Garitano's team set up in a 4-4-2 with Jon Mikel Magunagoitia in goal. The defensive line consisted of Sergio Cubero, Aritz Aranbarri, Jair Amador, and Anaitz Arbilla. In midfield, Corpas, Javi Martínez, Lander Olaetxea, and Ander Madariaga worked to cut off the opponent's advances. Up front, the duo of Jon Bautista and Javier Marton proved lethal.
How did Bautista's hat-trick unfold?
Jon Bautista opened the scoring in the first half, capitalizing on an assist from Javier Marton. The striker, who had five shots in total, did not waste his chances. His second goal came from a pass by Corpas, showcasing his poacher's instinct inside the box. To cap his masterful performance, Bautista completed his treble in the second half, assisted by substitute Álvaro Rodríguez, who came on late in the game.
Eibar's effectiveness was overwhelming. With only 39% possession and 13 shots (6 on target), they scored three times. In contrast, Albacete, with Raul Lizoain in goal, dominated 61% of the ball and took 22 shots, but only six were on target. Jon Mikel Magunagoitia made six crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. The home side also had an advantage in corners (10 to 3) but failed to convert.
What do the season's data say?
This victory comes at an important time for Eibar. Before this match, the team was 14th in the Segunda División standings, with 3 points from a record of one win, zero draws, and one loss in two games. Their recent form was loss-win (WL). In the overall campaign tally, the team had scored 2 goals and conceded 3, for a -1 goal difference. Now, with this win, they sit 3 points behind the leaders, Las Palmas.
The next challenge is immediate. Eibar will travel to face 8th-placed FC Andorra on August 30, 2026. A tough match that could build on this positive momentum. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page.
Who were the other keys to the victory?
Beyond Bautista, midfielder Javi Martínez and full-back Anaitz Arbilla provided defensive solidity on a difficult pitch. The manager also made smart substitutions. In addition to Álvaro Rodríguez, players like Jon Magunacelaya, Malcom Adu, and Luis López came on to manage the result. For Albacete, Samuel Obeng, with three shots, and Jose Carlos Lazo, with two, were the most threatening, but they met a very compact defense.
Eibar demonstrated once again that they are an awkward and practical team. With just six shots on target, they scored three goals, a display of the accuracy they showed at the Carlos Belmonte. This performance builds confidence for a long season, where consistency will be key to aiming for higher positions. The squad, which you can check in our team section, has responded after the initial stumble.
