Nguyen Xuan Son scored a hat-trick of spectacular goals as Nam Dinh crushed SLNA at Thien Truong Stadium.

In an open, attacking game in V-League Round 25, Nguyen Xuan Son dispelled all doubts about his form with an outstanding individual performance. The Brazilian-born striker's hat-trick not only helped Nam Dinh secure all three points but also sent a strong message to coach Kim Sang Sik ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup.

The resurgence of killer instinct.

Entering the match at Thien Truong Stadium, both Nam Dinh and SLNA had shaken off the pressure of achieving results, with their goals of avoiding relegation and securing their league positions already settled. However, for Nguyen Xuan Son personally, this was a crucial test after a streak of six consecutive matches without scoring. He only needed 14 minutes to rediscover the feeling of celebrating a goal.

From Kevin Pham Ba's precise cross, Xuan Son leaped high and executed a superb header, sending the ball on a dangerous trajectory that left the SLNA goalkeeper helpless. The opening goal not only relieved the pressure on the number 14 striker but also ushered in a brilliant night of triumph.

The masterpiece of the upside-down bicycle and a statement of excellence.

The highlight of the match came in the 30th minute when Xuan Son executed a spectacular overhead bicycle kick. The move required a perfect combination of individual technique, spatial awareness, and incredible acceleration. This masterpiece sent the entire Thien Truong stadium into a frenzy, confirming the class of one of the league's top strikers.

The two-goal lead allowed the home team to play more freely. In the second half, the coordination between Nam Dinh's attacking stars continued to be effective. In the 69th minute, playmaker Nguyen Tuan Anh made a skillful dribble past the opposing goalkeeper. Instead of shooting, Tuan Anh chose to provide a perfect pass for Xuan Son to easily complete his hat-trick, sealing a 3-0 victory.

Good news for the Vietnamese national team.

Nguyen Xuan Son's performance came at a crucial time, with the V-League nearing its end and the National Team preparing to depart for a training camp in South Korea. In the context of coach Kim Sang Sik needing a striker with consistent goal-scoring performance for the 2026 AFF Cup campaign, Son's brilliance is a valuable personnel option.

With three diverse goals, ranging from headers to skillful finishes, Xuan Son has increased his total V-League tally this season to six goals. More importantly, his confidence has returned at this crucial stage of the season and for the national teams at all levels.