Kevin Gameiro scores four-minute hat-trick as Atletico Madrid beat Sporting

Kevin Gameiro came off the bench to score one of the fastest hat-tricks in Liga history, striking three times in five minutes to give Atletico Madrid a 4-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

Spanish statistician Mister Chip said the Frenchman's three goals came in the space of four minutes 45 seconds - beating by one second the modern-day record set by David Villa against Athletic Bilbao in 2006.

Opta clocked Gameiro's feat at 4 minutes 43 seconds, but said it trailed a four-minute hat-trick scored by Bebeto in 1995.

What is certain is Gameiro becomes the first Atletico substitute ever to score a hat-trick, and only the fourth in Liga history.

The final scoreline flattered Diego Simeone's side, who up until the Frenchman's introduction in the second half had been more than matched by their relegation-threatened hosts. In fact, Sporting were the side pressing for a winner as full time came into sight.

But Gameiro made a devastating impact, with his energy and pace catching out the home side at the back not once, not twice, but three times. Sporting Gijon simply couldn’t cope with the French striker, who has been second choice to Fernando Torres recently.

The result keeps Atletico Madrid firmly in the hunt for a top four place, with Simeone’s side now four points ahead of fifth-placed Real Sociedad and four points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have three games in hand.

The in-form Fernando Torres has been favoured by Simeone in recent matches, with the veteran striker scoring a stunning overhead kick in last week’s win over Celta Vigo. But does this performance show that Simeone has been holding his side back by benching Gameiro? Did the summer signing deserve more time to settle into his team team? Questions will now be asked.

The Frenchman was devastating in coming off the bench for Atletico Madrid in the second half. This could prove to be a defining moment in the club’s season, and they owe it almost in its entirety to Gameiro. On the basis of this performance, he will be starting up front alongside Antoine Griezmann for a long time to come.

Sporting Gijon - Cuellar 6, Lillo 6, Amorebiata 4, Mere 5, Canella 6, Sergio 7, Vesga 6, Douglas 6, Moi 7, Burgui 8, Traore 8. Subs - Victor 5, Dop 5, Castro 5

Atletico Madrid - Moya 5, Vrsaljko 6, Savic 5, Hernandez 5, Luis 5, Correa 5, Gabi 6, Koke 5, Carrasco 6, Griezmann 6, Torres 5. Subs - Gameiro 9, Saul 7, Thomas 5

46’ GOAL! Sporting Gijon 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid have found the opener 13 seconds into the second half! Carrasco latches on to a long ball and squirms a shot past the goalkeeper.

49’ GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-1 Atletico Madrid: The home side have responded within minutes! Alvarez takes down a cross on the chest and smashes a finish into the net past three Atletico players.

80’ GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Will that be enough for Atletico Madrid? They have the goal to put them ahead once again, and it's a great goal. Great link-up play between Griezmann and Gameiro, with the Frenchman rounding the keeper to finish.

81’ GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Amorebieta loses the ball to Gameiro, who makes no mistake in finding the bottom corner of the Sporting Gijon net. It's a quick-fire double for the Frenchman!

85’ GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-4 Atletico Madrid: Can you believe it? He's scored again! Gameiro has helped himself to a four minute hat-trick! He got in behind the Sporting defence and once again found the net. Wow!

Kevin Gameiro’s five-minute hat-trick was the second-fastest in Liga history after David Villa’s in 2009.

Atletico Madrid have now conceded more goals (19) in La Liga this season than they did over the entire 2015/16 campaign (18).