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Reports this week in Spain and abroad suggested Kosovare Asllani, one of the most recognizable and prolific forwards in the game, was on the outs at Real Madrid. The club, in its first season, reportedly wanted more from the Swede, who had yet to score in 2021 despite scoring eight in eight to start the campaign. Spanish daily AS wrote that the star striker had “dried up,” having failed to score since Dec. 13.
Reports of Asllani’s demise were greatly exaggerated; the dominant forward scored a three-minute hat trick to propel Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Valencia on Saturday.
Asllani, who was the first Galáctica when the Real Madrid women’s team was created, scored in the 67th, 68th and 70th minutes to quell any thoughts that the 31-year-old was past her prime and take her goal tally to 12, joint-third best in the league.
The three goals highlighted the skill and versatility of the experienced striker, who combines the technique of Toni Kroos, dribbling of Eden Hazard, finishing of Karim Benzema and will to win of Sergio Ramos. She’s basically all of Real Madrid’s best men’s players combined into one package.
Kosovare Asllani Hat Trick vs. Valencia
Asllani’s first was a superb free kick whipped in from a wide angle. It took a heavy deflection off a Valencia defender but maintained its course thanks to the velocity on the shot.
1️⃣ ¡El primero de @KosovareAsllani!
⚽ ¡Gran ejecución en el libre directo, que se envenena y termina en el fondo de la red!#RealMadrid | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/SKlOWzmUWd— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) February 6, 2021
The second showed off Asllani’s pace, strength and delicate touch. After beating a defender to a ball over the top, the Swede chipped the Valencia keeper to make it 2-0.
2️⃣ ¡Así firmó su doblete @KosovareAsllani!
¡La más lista de la clase!
⚽✨ ¡Maestría en la definición!#RealMadrid | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Cru1Pi1OWe— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) February 6, 2021
This photo shows just how high her chip went over the keeper’s head.
Finally, Asllani finished her three-minute hat trick with a clinical finish of a cross from Marta Cardona.
3️⃣ ¡Tres goles en tres minutos!
¡Minutos de locura!
⚽⚽⚽ ¡@KosovareAsllani puso la guinda a su partido con un hat-trick!#RealMadrid | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/OFISRil1qP— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) February 6, 2021
That’s three goals in 155 seconds, folks. If only the men’s team got that kind of production out of Hazard.
Again, there were reports this week that Real Madrid was planning to not extend Asllani’s contract when it expires at the end of the season. While I can think of at least 10 NWSL clubs who would love to have someone of Asllani’s talents and star power, it would make no sense for Real Madrid to willingly depart with the striker.
Valencia did pull one back through Ellen Jansen in the 71st minute (because all the action had to happen in a four-minute span, I guess). Real Madrid held on for the win to move up to second place, eight points behind leader Barcelona, which also has two games in hand.
