Girona 7-0 Granada: Dovbyk nets hat-trick to end Girona season on a high

A hat-trick from LaLiga top scorer Artem Dovbyk propelled Girona to their biggest ever win, a 7-0 thrashing of relegated Granada on Friday to cap off a dream season in third place.

The atmosphere at the Montilivi stadium was festive as fans celebrated the Catalans' remarkable season, which ended with 81 points and earned them their first Champions League spot.

"I am happy because it is a historic season, these players are incredible," Girona coach Michel told a news conference. "It has been a great season, people have supported us and felt proud and represented by this team. Let's celebrate."

On the half-hour mark, defender Eric Garcia scored from close range, capitalising on the visitors' sloppy defending, before Viktor Tsygankov doubled the lead three minutes later with a tap-in.

Dovbyk made it 3-0 in the 44th minute after Portu was fouled, and Tsygankov added his second with a simple finish nine minutes later.

Granada suffered another setback when Facundo Pellistri was sent off in the 61st minute, before Dovbyk scored again in the 75th. Cristhian Stuani, a substitute, scored from close range in the 78th minute.

Dovbyk completed his hat-trick with a 90th-minute penalty, putting him ahead of Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth in the league scoring race.

"The only thing we had at stake today was to make our fans proud, which is the main objective in every game," Michel said.

"Also to help Dovbyk for the possibility of being top scorer, those were the two objectives and I think we have achieved them.

"It is difficult because of Granada's position, it is difficult, we understand them but we had to achieve our objectives," the Spaniard added referring to their opponents' last game in the top flight.

SportsLigue