Ricardo Pepi stays hot with hat trick for PSV - SBI Soccer

Ricardo Pepi is enjoying one of his better runs of form at Dutch side PSV.

Pepi registered a hat trick on Saturday as PSV defeated FC Groningen 5-0 in Eredivisie play. It marked Pepi’s first competitive hat trick for the club and his third multi-goal performance since in 2023.

Oliver Boscagli opened the scoring for PSV in the 14th minute with a close range finish.

Pepi doubled PSV’s lead before halftime by ripping a right-footed shot into the top-left corner for a 2-0 lead. He won possession on the right wing before racing into the box and scoring.

It marked his fourth-straight goalscoring performance for club and country.

After Guus Til extended PSV’s lead to 3-0 in the 52nd minute, Pepi added to his already productive day. Rick Karsdorp connected with Pepi in the 64th minute for his second goal of the day before the U.S. men’s national team forward capped off his Man of the Match performance.

Pepi headed home Ivan Perisic’s cross into the top-left corner for a 5-0 PSV lead.

Malik Tillman and Richie Ledezma both featured off the bench in the second half while PSV moved eight points clear at the top of the Eredivisie table.

Pepi has now 10 goals and added one assist in seven starts for club and country this season. The 21-year-old continues to be a major contributor to PSV’s season as the Dutch leaders continue in multiple competitions.

PSV next hosts Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League play on Wednesday before visiting second-place FC Utrecht on December 1.