In a historic night for both the player and the club, Fermin Lopez etched his name into Barcelona's Champions League annals by becoming the first Spanish player to score a hat-trick for the Blaugrana in the competition. The 22-year-old midfielder's stellar performance propelled Barcelona to a dominant 6-1 victory over Olympiacos at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.
Lopez opened the floodgates early in the 7th minute, reacting quickly to a rebound after Lamine Yamal's shot was parried by the Olympiacos goalkeeper. He doubled Barcelona's lead in the 39th minute, finishing off a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Dro Fernandez. Lopez completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a powerful volley into the bottom-right corner, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper. Marcus Rashford also contributed with two goals, while Lamine Yamal converted a penalty.
"My first hat-trick with Barça is just a dream come true," Lopez told Movistar Plus. "We're going into to El Clasico feeling very positive. It's a very important game for the club, for us and for the Barça fans."
This achievement places Fermin Lopez in an elite group of Spanish players who have scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League, a list that includes Raúl González, Gerard López, Fernando Morientes, Fernando Llorente, Roberto Soldado, Álvaro Negredo, and Lucas Pérez. Notably, Lopez is the only midfielder among them.
The young Spaniard's breakthrough has been hard-earned. Fermin Lopez Marín, born on May 11, 2003, in El Campillo, Spain, joined Barcelona's youth academy in 2016. After rising through the ranks, he was loaned to Linares Deportivo in 2022 to gain experience, where he excelled, scoring 12 goals. His impressive performances earned him a spot in Xavi Hernández's squad for the 2023-24 season. He made his La Liga debut on August 27, 2023, against Villarreal.
Since his debut in 2023, Lopez has made 94 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists. His contributions were vital in Barcelona's 2024-25 season, where they secured a domestic treble, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. He also won a gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and was part of the Euro 2024 winning squad.
Barcelona, a powerhouse in European football, has won the Champions League five times. Their first title came in 1992, followed by triumphs in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015. The club boasts a rich history in the competition and is always striving for more success.
Fermin Lopez's hat-trick marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career and provides a timely boost for Barcelona as they prepare for upcoming domestic and European fixtures, including the El Clasico against Real Madrid. His ability to find space in the box and clinical finishing proved too much for Olympiacos. With Barcelona currently third in the Champions League standings, Lopez's form will be crucial as they aim to progress further in the competition.
