Victor Osimhen wrote his name into the history books on Wednesday night after becoming the second Nigerian to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League, inspiring Galatasaray to a commanding 3–0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.
The Super Eagles striker produced a complete centre-forward display, netting twice from the spot and once from open play as the Turkish champions continued their impressive European campaign.
His treble makes him the first Galatasaray player to achieve the feat in the competition since Burak Yilmaz’s hat-trick against Cluj in 2012.
After a goalless first half, Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when he rose highest to meet a teasing cross, planting a powerful header low into the middle of the net beyond the reach of Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
His second came seven minutes later after a VAR check confirmed a handball in the Ajax box. The Nigerian forward showed composure, waiting for Pasveer to commit before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
He completed his historic hat-trick in the 78th minute with another penalty, calmly sending Pasveer the wrong way after Gerald Alders was penalised for handling the ball.
The 26-year-old’s celebration reflected relief and pride as his teammates mobbed him in front of the travelling Galatasaray fans.
Osimhen now joins Yakubu Ayegbeni as the only Nigerians to have scored a hat-trick in the Champions League.
Yakubu achieved his treble for Maccabi Haifa in a 3–0 win over Olympiacos on September 24, 2002.
The former African Footballer of the Year’s latest feat continues his exceptional form in Europe, where he has scored 12 goals in his last eight games for Galatasaray.
His tally includes braces against Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt, as well as goals versus AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, and Liverpool.
Wednesday’s performance also extended Osimhen’s record as the top-scoring Nigerian in Champions League history with 15 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ tally of 10.
It was also his 50th appearance for Galatasaray and 20th in the Champions League, bringing him within one game of equalling the Nigerian record for UCL appearances held jointly by Victor Ikpeba and Celestine Babayaro.
Osimhen’s current total of 25 goals in European club competitions now moves him ahead of Martins as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in UEFA tournaments.
