Gonzalo Higuain hat-trick downs Dynamo Moscow

Gonzalo Higuain's hat-trick has given Napoli a resounding 3-1 win against 10-man Dynamo Moscow in this evening's Europa League last-16 first leg at the Stadio San Paolo.

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The visitors shocked the home crowd by opening the scoring within the first minute, as a corner kick curled in from the right-hand side was met by Kevin Kuranyi, who rose high above everyone to thump a header home.

Napoli set about trying to find an equaliser and were level just before the half-hour mark, Faouzi Ghoulam collecting the ball down the left before whipping a cross to the front post, where Higuain was at hand to glance a header into the bottom right corner.

In the 31st minute, the Partenopei edged themselves into the lead as Mathieu Valbuena brought down Dries Mertens in the Dynamo box, prompting the referee to award the Italians a penalty.

Higuain stepped up and duly smashed his spot kick down the middle for his - and his side's - second goal of the game.

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Dynamo then found themselves with a mountain to climb moments after the restart as Roman Zobnin was sent off after a late tackle on Ghoulam.

Napoli further extended their lead five minutes before the hour when Mertens clipped a cross into the box towards Higuain, who controlled on his chest before rifling a volley into the bottom left corner.

The Russian outfit had little response to the hosts' dominance following their blitzing start and were unable to add to their tally as Rafael Benitez's charges ended the first leg with one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals.