Unai Hernandez bags hat-trick as five-star Barcelona Atletic win promotion play-off

Barcelona Atletic beat Ibiza 5-3 on Saturday night in the semi-final of their promotion play-off to secure a brilliant 7-4 aggregate win.

Rafa Marquez’s side went into the tie leading 2-1 from the first leg, thanks to goals from Marc Guiu and Pau Victor.

Yet they endured a tough start with Ibiza taking the lead on the night after just 19 minutes of play when Alberto Escassi netted from close range.

Escassi scored again just before half-time to leave Barca reeling, but the hosts responded quickly to pull one back before the break.

Guiu headed a cross back across goal and past the keeper to make it 3-3 on aggregate heading into the break.

Barcelona then simply ran away with it after half-time by scoring five goals in less than 20 minutes to take complete charge of the tie.

Pau Victor scored possibly the pick of the bunch with a lovely effort. The forward twisted and turned just outside the penalty area before curling a neat finish past the goalkeeper.

Another goal was quick to follow for the hosts. Ibiza made a mess of clearing the ball and it fell to Unai Hernandez to crash home at the far post for 3-2 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate.

Hernandez had another just before the hour. Guiu hassled a defender into a mistake, raced through on goal and then cut the ball back to his team-mate to slot home.

But that wasn’t enough for Hernandez who completed his hat-trick minutes later. Again Guiu was the one causing chaos, forcing the goalkeeper to scoop the ball off his line and straight into the path of the oncoming Hernandez.

Ibiza did pull one back but it was to prove only a consolation effort as Barca kept their promotion hopes alive in spectacular style and in front of Ansu Fati, Julian Araujo and Alejandro Balde who all turned up to watch.