Osimhen Sets Multiple Champions League Records with Hat-trick Against Ajax

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen delivered a stunning performance on Wednesday night, scoring a hat-trick to lead Galatasaray to a 3–0 victory over Ajax in the UEFA Champions League at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.

Osimhen opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 59th minute before converting two penalties to seal his treble, and with it, a series of remarkable milestones.

The 26-year-old became only the second Nigerian to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, following Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s feat for Maccabi Haifa in 2002. He also became the first Galatasaray player to record a hat-trick in the competition since Burak Yilmaz in 2012.

In addition, Osimhen surpassed Obafemi Martins to become Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in European competitions, with 25 goals to his name. He also set new club records as the first Galatasaray player to score a brace in two consecutive European matches and to be named MVP in three straight Champions League games.

Speaking after the match, Osimhen credited the team’s determination and ambition for their success:

> “We have a clear goal. We know what we want and what it takes to compete at this level. It’s not easy, but step by step, we believe we can stand among Europe’s elite. The quality in this team can trouble any opponent.”


Osimhen currently leads the Champions League scoring chart with six goals, one ahead of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé. He has now scored in eight consecutive European matches for Galatasaray and boasts 15 career Champions League goals.

Galatasaray will hope their talisman maintains his form when they face Kocaelispor in the Turkish Super League on Sunday.


Other Champions League Results

Manchester City continued their unbeaten run with a 4–1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Phil Foden scored twice, while Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki added a goal each for the English champions.

Inter Milan kept their perfect record intact after defeating Kairat Almaty 2–1, thanks to goals from Lautaro Martínez and Carlos Augusto.

Barcelona fought back to secure a 3–3 draw against Club Brugge in Belgium, with Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and an own goal rescuing them from a potential upset.

Elsewhere, Chelsea avoided an embarrassing defeat with a 2–2 draw against Qarabag, courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho’s equaliser. Newcastle United triumphed 2–0 over Athletic Bilbao, while Bayer Leverkusen edged Benfica 1–0 through Patrik Schick’s strike.

In Marseille, Atalanta clinched a dramatic 1–0 victory over the hosts, thanks to a late winner from Lazar Samardzic, while Pafos FC of Cyprus celebrated their first-ever Champions League win, defeating Villarreal 1–0.

Osimhen’s heroics, however, remain the standout story of the night, a performance that further cements his reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical and consistent forwards.