Barça Atlètic’s thrilling 5-3 victory over UD Ibiza secured their place in the playoff final for promotion to the Second Division.
At the heart of Barça Atletic’s triumph was a young talent staking his claim for a bigger role: 19-year-old Unai Hernandez.
Hernandez’s show-stealing performance
Hernandez wasn’t just a hero on the night; the midfielder etched his name into the record books. His second-half hat-trick, achieved in a remarkable four-minute span between the 58th and 62nd minute, is the fastest ever recorded in the Primera RFEF.
This explosive performance wasn’t just about speed, though. Unai first capitalized on a defensive error by Ibiza, then displayed his finishing prowess after a clever assist from teammate Marc Guiu.
His final goal came from a rebound off the Ibiza goalkeeper, sending the Johan Cruyff crowd into a frenzy.
Pushing for the first-team
Unai’s talent has been simmering for a while. Signed two years ago from Girona’s youth team, he has consistently impressed.
This season, he solidified himself as a key player for Barça Atletic, notching 10 goals and 7 assists in 36 games. He even received eight call-ups to the first team, although he hasn’t yet seen any playing time.
What makes Unai such an appealing option for Barcelona is his versatility. He can comfortably play as both an attacking midfielder and a left winger, with a strong left foot adding another dimension to his skill set.
If he maintains this upward trajectory, it won’t be long before he finds himself under the tutelage of Hansi Flick in the senior team.
In the meantime, though, Unai will hope to continue his stupendous form as he looks to help Barça Atletic seal promotion to the Segunda Division.
