Victor Osimhen Fires Hat-Trick As Galatasaray Beat Ajax 3–0 To Make Champions League History
Victor Osimhen wrote another glorious chapter in his career on Wednesday night, becoming only the second Nigerian ever to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League as Galatasaray defeated Ajax 3–0 at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. The 26-year-old striker delivered a complete centre-forward performance, scoring twice from the penalty spot and once from open play to seal an emphatic win for the Turkish champions. His heroics also made him the first Galatasaray player to net a Champions League hat-trick since Burak Yilmaz’s treble against Cluj in 2012. After a cagey first half, Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a thunderous header that left Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer rooted to the spot. He doubled Galatasaray’s advantage just seven minutes later, coolly slotting home from the penalty spot after VAR confirmed a handball inside the box. He completed his historic night in the 78th minute, once again showing his composure from 12 yards as he sent Pasveer the wrong way following another handball decision against Gerald Alders. His celebration, filled with emotion and pride, drew thunderous applause from the traveling Galatasaray fans. Osimhen’s treble places him alongside Yakubu Ayegbeni, who was the first Nigerian to achieve the feat when he scored three goals for Maccabi Haifa in a 3–0 win over Olympiacos on September 24, 2002. The former African Footballer of the Year has been in unstoppable form, scoring 12 goals in his last eight European matches for Galatasaray. His recent run includes braces against Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt, and goals against AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, and Liverpool. Wednesday’s performance also cemented Osimhen’s place in history as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ record of 10. It was a double milestone for the striker, marking both his 50th appearance for Galatasaray and his 20th in the Champions League — bringing him within one game of matching Victor Ikpeba and Celestine Babayaro’s record for the most UCL appearances by a Nigerian. With 25 goals now in European club competitions, Osimhen has also overtaken Martins to become Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in UEFA tournaments, underlining his status as one of Africa’s greatest football exports.