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#4 Memphis Depay (Netherlands) vs Turkey
Memphis Depay has made a whirlwind start to the 2021-22 season at his new club, Barcelona. He has netted twice and made one assist from three league games.
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He then continued his rich vein of form onto the international stage too. Depay has scored five goals in three games, including a sensational hat-trick against Turkey in their second game.
The Oranje fired on all cylinders in Louis van Gaal's first game since returning to manage the side. Depay was at the heart of it, scoring a sublime 'Panenka' from 12 yards, as part of his hat-trick.
Despite netting 30 goals previously, he had never before bagged a hat-trick. Depay now stands just 17 goals behind Robin van Persie's all-time record of 50.
#3 Gareth Bale (Wales) vs Belarus
Gareth Bale got his career back on track with a successful loan spell back at his old club Tottenham Hotspur last season. With 16 goals in 34 games, including 11 in the league, the Welsh ace breathed new life into his career.
That translated onto the international stage on Sunday as Bale scored a hat-trick against Belarus. It was his second on the international stage, more than three years after his first in 2018.
After clinically dispatching two penalties, the Real Madrid star slotted home the winner in the 93rd minute with a powerful strike from a tight angle inside the box.
Just months after refusing to address questions about his Wales future, the Dragons captain turned back the year with a heroic performance. Bale now has 36 goals for his national team.
#2 Erling Haaland (Norway) vs Gibraltar
Erling Haaland's goalscoring prowess is well established by now. With a hat-trick against Gibraltar, he reminded everyone about his potential on the international stage too.
Before this game, Haaland had a fairly impressive record of nine goals in 14 games. That included a treble against Romania last year.
On Wednesday, Haaland was in inspired form once again. He netted twice in the first half to bring his international tally to double-digits, rounding off his second hat-trick in stoppage time.
The Terminator, as he's fondly called for his athleticism, pace and devastating finishing skills, is only just warming up. Considering his blistering start, Haaland could break all scoring records for Norway.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Bolivia
Without an international goal in three games, Lionel Messi redeemed himself with an incredible hat-trick against Bolivia on Friday. Those goals took him past Brazil legend Pele.
After chipping home a delicate volley and then producing a nonchalant finish under pressure, Messi brought up his treble by scrambling home a rebound off Leandro Paredes' shot.
That was his 78th international goal, surpassing Pele's long-standing tally of 77. Messi is now the most prolific scorer in CONMEBOL history.
At 34, La Pulga still has a few more years left at the top, which means he could further boost this tally.
