Under-fire Everton striker Salomon Rondon made a sensational return to international football for Venezuela by netting a hat-trick in their 4-1 victory over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier.
Rondon, who was snapped up by Rafa Benitez for free on transfer deadline day last summer, having previously played for the Spaniard at both Newcastle United and Chinese side Dalian Pro, has endured a miserable run of form this season for the Blues, scoring just once in 15 appearances to date, in the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in December.
However, having not turned out for his country since he struck in the 2-1 win over Chile on November 17, 2020, the 32-year-old returned from his 14-month exile in spectacular fashion by bagging a treble at Estadio Agustin Tovar in Barinas.
The Everton centre-forward put Venezuela on their way with a close range near post header from Oscar Gonzalez’s lifted cross on 25 minutes and doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, collected the ball in the ‘D’, stepping forward into the area and rifling a low right-foot shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.
A Bruno Miranda headed goal for Bolivia reduced arrears three minutes later but after Darwin Machis restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion 10 minutes into the second half after a defensive mix-up, Rondon completed the rout midway through the second half with a smart first time right-foot finish from just outside the six-yard box.
The Blues player was substituted for Josef Martinez three minutes later and despite the victory, Venezuela remain bottom of the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 10 points from 15 matches and just three fixtures remaining, including Tuesday’s trip to Uruguay.
Rondon’s feat makes him the first Everton player to score a hat-trick in a competitive international since Golden Boot winner Gary Lineker bagged three against Poland in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico.
Meanwhile, his Goodison Park team-mate Yerry Mina suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Peru with Colombia which left the hosts sweating on their place in Qatar later this year.
