Fiorentina's Mauro Zarate dedicates Europa League goals to cancer-stricken wife in emotional tribute

The former West Ham star, whose wife has cancer, scored twice in 15 minutes as Fiorentina's trounced FK Qarabag 5-1 in the Europa League

Mauro Zarate celebrated a Europa League brace for Fiorentina on Thursday night with an emotional tribute to his wife Natalie Weber following her surgery for breast cancer.

The former West Ham forward came on in the second half of the Italian side's tie with Azerbaijani outfit FK Qarabag, scoring twice in just 15 minutes to help them to a 5-1 victory.

After scoring his first just minutes following his introduction, the Argentine dropped to his knees and revealed a t-shirt message that translated to 'Thank God, I love Nat', in reference to his wife.

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Impact: Zarate came off the bench to score twice in Fiorentina's 5-1 win

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Emotional: He was joined by his team-mates for the touching tribute

Zarate, 29, was joined by his team-mates for the emotional celebration.

After Qarabag's Elvin Yunuszada was sent off with just 30 minutes on the clock, Fiorentina ran riot, with Zarate's double adding to goals by Nikola Kalinic and Khouma Babacar, who also scored twice.

Ten-man Qarabag could only grab a consolation goal in the 91st minute, Dino Ndlovu scoring right at the end.