Angel Di Maria Knocks Out Nantes By Scoring First Juventus Hat-Trick In Dominant Europa League Away Win

Nantes 0-3 Juventus (1-4 Agg)

Angel Di Maria scored the first hat-trick of his Juventus career to help his side reach the last 16 in the UEFA Europa League.

Di Maria was on fire in Thursday's knockout round second leg away to Nantes.

The Argentina winger scored a stunning opening goal in the fifth minute with a whipped finish from the corner of the 18-yard box.

Twelve minutes later, Di Maria went on a superb solo run that resulted in a second Juventus goal.

After a mazy dribble, Di Maria's backheeled shot was handled on the line by Nantes center-back Nicolas Pallois.

Pallois was sent off and Di Maria converted the penalty kick that followed to double Juve's lead.

Di Maria ended the first half having touched the ball 46 times and recorded five shots on target.

But the 35-year-old was not finished yet.

He scored again in the 78th minute to complete his hat-trick.

Di Maria's third goal was a header that only just crossed the line.

Nantes had held Juve to a 1-1 draw in Turin in the first leg seven days earlier.