Cagliari proved too strong for in-form Sampdoria in Serie A this afternoon thanks to a fine hat-trick from Victor Ibarbo that saw them win 3-1.
The Colombian striker got his first after 18 minutes from close range after reacting quickest to a rebound from Thiago Riberio's low strike.
Ibarbo made it 2-0 early in the second half when he timed a late run onto Andrea Cossu's precise cross.
Sampdoria threw caution to the wind late on but Mauro Icardi and Eder both saw drives from range deflected wide as Cagliari stayed in control of the match.
Maxi Lopez and Roberto Soriano were thrown on in the closing stages but Ibarbo completed his hat-trick 20 minutes from time after turning home another clever pass from Cossu.
Lopez pulled one back for Sampdoria from the penalty spot in stoppage time as Luca Rossettini was sent off for a late challenge.
Liam Power
