Senegal forward Bamba Dieng scored his first hat-trick for Red Star Belgrade as the Serbian champions recovered from surrendering a two-goal advantage to beat Mačva Šabac 4-2.
The 26-year-old was decisive in Saturday’s SuperLiga encounter, scoring twice in the first half before completing his treble six minutes from time to put Red Star back in front.
Dieng opened the scoring in the 16th minute, reacting quickest after goalkeeper saved Vladimir Lučić’s effort to put the visitors ahead.
The Senegal international doubled Red Star’s advantage 13 minutes later, finishing a pass from Timi Max Elšnik to give his side what appeared to be a comfortable lead.
However, Mačva refused to surrender on home soil. The hosts reduced the deficit before the break and then drew level in the second half, taking advantage of defensive errors by the visitors.
With Red Star facing the possibility of dropping points, Dieng delivered when his team needed him most.
The former Marseille striker restored the visitors’ lead in the 84th minute after being set up by Kim, completing his hat-trick and putting Red Star 3-2 ahead.
Elšnik then added a fourth goal just two minutes later to confirm the victory and ensure the visitors left Šabac with all three points.
The performance marked Dieng’s first hat-trick since joining the Belgrade club and underlined his growing influence in the team.
Since arriving last August, the Senegalese forward has been working his way into the Red Star squad. He has now scored five goals in seven SuperLiga appearances, a return that suggests he is adapting well to Serbian football.
His latest display will also provide a timely confidence boost as he continues to establish himself at one of the country’s leading clubs.
Dieng’s contribution was particularly important given the way the match unfolded. After building a two-goal lead, Red Star had to respond to Mačva’s fightback, and the Senegalese striker took responsibility at a crucial moment to put his side back in control.
Red Star can now turn their attention to their next European assignment, when they host Inter Escaldes in the UEFA Conference League.
For Dieng, the three-goal display represents another important milestone in his career in Serbia and offers further evidence of his growing importance to the Serbian champions.
