Victor Osimhen etched his name into UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday night, becoming only the second Nigerian ever to score a hat-trick in the competition as he fired Galatasaray to a dominant 3–0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam
The Super Eagles star delivered a masterclass in finishing, striking twice from the penalty spot and once from open play to seal an emphatic win for the Turkish champions and extend their impressive run in Europe.
Osimhen’s treble made him the first Galatasaray player to net a hat-trick in the competition since Burak Yilmaz’s feat against Cluj in 2012.
After a tense, goalless first half, Osimhen opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a powerful header that beat Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer. Just seven minutes later, he doubled the lead from the spot after a VAR review confirmed a handball in the box. The striker showed trademark calmness, sending Pasveer the wrong way.
He completed his historic hat-trick in the 78th minute with another penalty, this time dispatching it confidently into the opposite corner after Gerald Alders handled the ball. His teammates celebrated wildly as Osimhen soaked in the applause from the travelling Galatasaray supporters.
With the performance, the 26-year-old joined Yakubu Ayegbeni as the only Nigerians to score a Champions League hat-trick — Yakubu’s having come for Maccabi Haifa in a 3–0 win over Olympiacos on September 24, 2002.
The former African Footballer of the Year has now scored 12 goals in his last eight appearances for Galatasaray, including braces against Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt, as well as goals against AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, and Liverpool.
Wednesday’s display also saw him surpass Obafemi Martins’ record of 10 Champions League goals, setting a new mark for the most by a Nigerian in the competition with 15.
It was a landmark night for Osimhen in more ways than one — his 50th appearance for Galatasaray and his 20th in the Champions League — bringing him within a single game of equalling Victor Ikpeba and Celestine Babayaro’s Nigerian record for UCL appearances.
His overall total of 25 goals in UEFA competitions now makes him Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in European club tournaments, underscoring his growing status as one of Africa’s finest exports.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Star boy