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Damari treble does job for Israel in Andorra

Andorra 1-4 Israel
Omer Damari struck a hat-trick to keep Israel a point off the Group B summit and move level with Robert Lewandowski atop the scoring charts.

Highlights: Andorra v Israel

Israel second in Group B after 4-1 victory in Andorra
Omer Damari opens scoring after just three minutes
Andorra draw level through Ildefons Lima penalty
Two more Damari goals and Tomer Hemed spot kick secure win
Next games: Cyprus v Andorra, Israel v Bosnia and Herzegovina (16 November)

Omer Damari's hat-trick helped Israel to a 4-1 win in Andorra and maintained their perfect record in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying.

Andorra had lost both previous meetings with Israel – in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying – and the signs were ominous after three minutes on this occasion. Damari, having raced towards the byline on the right, glanced up to chip the ball into the area, only to send it over goalkeeper Ferran Pol and in.

The hosts, who had not scored in 18 competitive matches prior to their 2-1 Group B loss to Wales last month, were soon level, though, Ildefons Lima converting from the spot after Ivan Lorenzo had been felled by Bebras Natcho. Pol showed excellent agility to keep out Nir Biton late in the opening period, but had already beaten for a second time by that stage, Damari turning in Tal Ben Haim's low cross from close range.

Pol's one-man blockade continued in the second half when he parried Eyal Meshumar's effort and later rushed out of goal to stop Eran Zahavi, who had escaped the home defence.

Damari twice should have completed hit hat-trick before doing so, shooting off target most notably when, unmarked, he shovelled Meshumar's deflected cross over. He showed far greater composure eight minutes from time, however, collecting Natcho's pass, turning inside the box and blasting past Pol. The FK Austria Wien striker is joint-leading scorer in qualifying on four goals, alongside Poland's Robert Lewandowski. Tomer Hemed's 96th-minute penalty added gloss.

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