In a King's Cup first-round match, Deportivo Alavés thrashed lower-tier side CD Getxo 7-0, with 32-year-old former Real Madrid striker Mariano emerging as the standout performer. He scored three goals and provided one assist, bringing an end to his 1263-day goal drought in official competitions.
Mariano achieved a "perfect hat-trick"—scoring with his head, right foot, and left foot. His last goal dated back to May 2022, during a La Liga match while playing for Real Madrid.
The Dominican forward, who took over Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic No. 7 shirt upon returning to Real Madrid in 2018, struggled with injuries and failed to meet expectations during his tenure. After leaving Real Madrid last year, he failed to regain form at Sevilla. Since joining Alavés this season, Mariano had yet to score in La Liga, but this impressive cup performance has undoubtedly boosted his confidence.
