Argentina international Angel Di Maria put on a man-of-the-match performance for Juventus on Thursday after scoring a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Nantes in their Europa Cup second leg to advance to the round-of-16.
Di Maria scored goals in both halves of the game including a 5th-minute opener with his brace coming 15 minutes later in minute 20.
The World Cup winner played puppeteer to the majority of the attacks by the Italians in the second half, leaving Nantes scrambling to decide where to focus their defense.
There was however no containing the midfielder as he not only orchestrated a dominant final period of attack but finished it himself, netting again in the 78th minute to complete his hat trick as the European giants continued their comeback to football titans.
The result sees them advance 4-1 on aggregate over two legs having ended 1-1 in the opening fixture.
Juventus fell into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group stage.
They will find out their next opponents in Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Juve will play one of the sides that won their Europa League group. Premier League leader Arsenal is one of their potential opponents in that round.
