Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen created football history on November 5, 2025. His stunning hat-trick powered Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam.
Record-Breaking Performance
The Super Eagles star became Nigeria’s first player to score 25 European goals. He also joined Yakubu Ayegbeni as only the second Nigerian to net a UEFA Champions League hat-trick. Ayegbeni achieved this for Maccabi Haifa in 2002.
Hat-Trick Heroics
Osimhen dominated at Johan Cruijff Arena with three clinical finishes. He opened scoring with a 59th-minute header. The striker then converted two penalties in the 66th and 78th minutes. Both spot-kicks followed VAR-confirmed handballs.
Historic Milestones
This marked Galatasaray’s first UCL hat-trick since 2012. Osimhen surpassed Obafemi Martins as Nigeria’s top UEFA competition scorer. His 15 Champions League goals set a new Nigerian record.
The 26-year-old now boasts 25 European goals overall. His current tally includes 12 goals in just eight European appearances this season.
Continuing Excellence
Osimhen earned his third straight UCL Man of the Match award. He now trails Cristiano Ronaldo’s record by just three games for consecutive European scoring appearances. The Nigerian is driving Galatasaray’s push for their first knockout stage qualification in over a decade.
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