MONACO, Sept 1: Radamel Falcao’s reputation as one of the most wanted strikers in the world was underlined when he grabbed a hat-trick in Atletico Madrid’s 4-1 Super Cup rout of Chelsea on Friday.

The Colombian international, nicknamed the Tiger, scored three times in the first-half against the European champions and hit the post three times as the Europa League winners ran riot in Monaco.

“I’m speechless, I really can’t describe it...what Falcao is doing is indescribable,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “He’s a lad that whenever you set the bar high he responds even higher and rises to the occasion. Hopefully we can keep this up. He’s not a player who can be left without pressure, he thrives on pressure.”

Miranda completed the scoring for Atletico just after the hour mark. Chelsea dominated possession but produced little of note, until defender Gary Cahill grabbed a consolation goal 15 minutes from time.

Chelsea coach Roberto di Matteo pulled no punches in his post-match assessment, telling ITV: “In the first-half we were very poor and they were very sharp. We started very slow and sloppy and they penalised us.

“They were much better than us in the first-half.”

The tone of the encounter was set as early as the fourth minute when Falcao hit the crossbar in front of a crowd including Prince Albert of Monaco and England manager Roy Hodgson.

Three minutes later the red hot 26-year-old put the Europea League winners in front, latching onto Adrian Lopez’s long ball to cheekily chip over Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

His second 13 minutes later was from a superb curling shot and his third just before half-time completed another rapid Atletico breakaway.

It was his second hat-trick in five days following the one he scored when Europa League winners Atletico beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in La Liga on Monday.

Former Atletico idol Fernando Torres — who got a rousing cheer from the Spanish fans when his name was announced before the match — almost scored against his former club five minutes after the break, but he fired wide of the left upright.

Chelsea fell further behind on the hour mark, with Miranda getting on the score-sheet from a set-piece, the ball deflected off the sliding Cahill.

Cahill got a 75th minute consolation goal for Chelsea, shooting low past Thibaut Courtois from close range from a corner taken by Frank Lampard.

“We played a great game and we are delighted. We have to work to maintain this level,” Falcao said.

“We knew we had to start with great intensity from the first minute and we were very effective with the chances we had.”—Agencies