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Brighton forward Diego Gomez scored a sensational hat-trick for Brighton as the Seagulls thrashed League One Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
In a heavily-rotated side, Gomez was playing his 25th game for Brighton and started on the right side of attack for Fabian Hurzuler's men as they bid to reach the fourth round of the competition.
And he didn't waste too much time getting in on the action, breaking the deadlock after just nine minutes with a tap in after good work from Tom Watson on the other flank.
Gomez's second came after 21 minutes, when Danny Welbeck jumped over a pass from Watson and allowed his team-mate to run onto the ball and fire into the top corner from the right side of the edge of the box.
It also marked a duo of assists for Watson, who was on chief creator duty from the left side of Brighton's attack.
Then the hat-trick arrived - before the half-time whistle had even been blown. And what a strike it was.
Brighton forward Diego Gomez scored a sensational four goals for Brighton on Tuesday night
The third of his four strikes was a stunning 40-yard volley that flew into the top corner
Fans took to social media to heap praise on the Paraguayan for his efforts in the game
Barnsley had capitulated, but there was little any of their defenders or goalkeeper could have done about Gomez's third strike. After a long ball was headed down, Gomez ran onto the ball more 40 yards out and, on the volley, fired an effort into the top right corner of the goal.
An audible roar could be heard inside the stadium, with Gomez wheeling away in celebration to honour the hat-trick as his team-mates followed.
The former Inter Miami man, though, continued his rout after the break. With his side 3-0 up, he ran onto a pass from Welbeck and slotted past Murphy Cooper.
The sensational hat-trick caught the eye of fans on social media, with one posting on X: 'SORRY?! Diego Gomez hattrick and his 2nd and 3rd goals are outrageous.'
Another added: 'Goal of the season debate settled already. What a hit from Diego Gomez.'
A third wrote: 'I don't think commentators were aware too much of who Diego Gomez is. They will be now...
'He was playing with Greatness, Messi's teammate. Probably learned a thing or two you'd imagine.'
His four strikes also meant the Paraguayan became the first player to score four goals away from home in a League Cup match since 2007, when Julio Baptista score four for Arsenal against Liverpool at Anfield.
Gomez has made just two league appearances for Brighton in the league this season so far
And Gomez may have scored four goals, but two of his team-mates found the back of the net too.
The game finished 6-0, with Harry Howell and Yasin Ayari also on the scoresheet.
The Seagulls will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Chelsea. Gomez has made just two league appearances so far this season - starting the 2-1 win over Manchester City and coming off the bench in the 2-0 defeat by Everton.
