Three goals from Ben Sahar helped Israel go joint-top of European Under-21 Championship Group 6 after beating Bulgaria.

The Espanyol striker opened the scoring after seven minutes and doubled Israel’s advantage midway through the first half. Eidan Vered made it 3-0 before Sahar completed his hat-trick 12 minutes into the second half.

Sahar has agreed to do a five-week stint of army service next summer before serving by giving lectures to Israeli youth.