Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick to lead Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory against Ajax Amsterdam in UEFA Champions League matchday 4. The Nigerian striker's goals came in the 59th, 66th, and 78th minutes, propelling Galatasaray to ninth place with 9 points. This performance marked several records for Osimhen and the club.
Galatasaray secured a convincing 3-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam in the UEFA Champions League league phase on matchday 4, thanks to Victor Osimhen's standout performance. The former Napoli striker scored all three goals, finding the net in just 19 minutes during the second half. His tally included strikes in the 59th, 66th, and 78th minutes, helping Galatasaray improve to a 3-0-1 record and +2 goal difference for 9 points, placing them ninth in the standings and in contention for the playoff round.
Osimhen's hat-trick was historic on multiple fronts. It was only the second such feat by a Galatasaray player in Champions League history, following Burak Yilmaz's treble against Cluj in 2012—13 years ago. For Osimhen, the goals brought his Champions League tally to 6 this season, including one against Liverpool and a brace versus Bodo/Glimt. He has now scored in his last 8 European matches, with 5 from last season's Europa League and 3 from this campaign, approaching Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 11 consecutive games with a goal.
As a Nigerian, Osimhen became the first to score a Champions League hat-trick in 25 years, emulating Yakubu Ayegbeni for Maccabi Haifa in 2002. His 25 European goals also make him the top-scoring Nigerian in the competitions, surpassing Obafemi Martins.
The result contributed to the league phase's intensity, where teams like Galatasaray sit among contenders for knockout spots. English clubs, including those with perfect records like Arsenal and Bayern Munich at 12 points, continue to dominate, but Osimhen's display highlighted emerging threats from other leagues.
