A standout hat-trick from forward Lucas Barrios earned Montpellier HSC a 3-2 victory over home side Metz in Ligue 1 this evening.
Visiting HSC found themselves with the chance to go ahead 10 minutes into the game after Guirane N'Daw was deemed to have fouled Anthony Mounier inside the box, leaving Barrios to step up and make it 1-0.
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Montpellier's lead didn't last too long, however, as they gave away a penalty of their own when Joris Marveaux handled in his own area, which allowed Yeni N'Gbakoto to convert with his right foot into the bottom-right corner.
The visitors arguably had more possession, but they were shown up when Metz's Bouna Sarr made good progress down the flank before turning in a ball for Gaetan Bussmann, who made no mistake with a simple header from close range to make it 2-1.
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HSC weren't done yet, though, and they grabbed an equaliser in the second half as Bryan Dabo played a through-ball into Barrios on the edge of the area, with the striker smashing home an effort into the bottom corner.
Montpellier's comeback was complete in the 69th minute when Barrios tucked in with his right from close range to earn the match ball and seal all three points for the away side.
Christopher Dodd
