Marouane Fellaini scored a hat-trick of headers in eight second-half minutes to earn Shandong Luneng a dramatic comeback victory over Dalian Pro in the opening round of the new Chinese Super League season.
The 32-year-old former Belgium midfielder headed home right-wing crosses – two of which were corners – in the 79th, 83rd and 86th minutes to help Shandong claim a 3-2 win.
🇧🇪 @Fellaini, who spent a few weeks in hospital with #COVID19, scored a hat-trick of headers inside 8 late minutes to snatch Shandong Luneng a 3-2 victory over Dalian Pro in their Super League 2020 debut 🇨🇳 🏥 What a story 🎩 pic.twitter.com/lEAOYfUHpG — FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) July 26, 2020
Fellaini, who joined Shandong in February 2019 after 11 seasons in England with Everton and Manchester United, had tested positive for coronavirus earlier this year.
Chinese media reported in March that he had been in isolation at Jinan hospital, which specialises in infectious diseases, having recently returned to the country after a spell in Dubai following the outbreak of Covid-19.
Dear friends, I have been tested for coronavirus and my test result is positive. Thanks to the fans, medical staff and the club for their care and attention. I will follow the treatment and hope to return to the game as soon as possible. Please everyone stay safe.❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/xTczNLoz1w — Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) March 22, 2020
Fellaini's hat-trick against Dalian came after former West Brom and Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon had headed the hosts into a 57th-minute lead.
Rafael Benitez's Dalian netted a late second through Marcus Danielson.
