Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen produced a stunning performance on Wednesday night, firing his first-ever hat-trick for Galatasaray as the Turkish side handed Ajax their fourth consecutive Champions League defeat of the season.
Osimhen, who struck once from open play and twice from the penalty spot, now has six goals in this season’s competition and has reached a career milestone of 25 European goals. The feat makes him Nigeria’s highest goalscorer in European club competitions, surpassing former Inter Milan and Newcastle forward Obafemi Martins.
Ajax held Galatasaray to a goalless first half, largely thanks to goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, who denied Osimhen on two clear chances. But the breakthrough came in the 59th minute when the Nigerian outpaced Josip Sutalo to head in Leroy Sané’s cross.
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The Dutch side’s woes deepened as Galatasaray were awarded two penalties — both for handball — which Osimhen calmly dispatched. The first followed a VAR review showing the ball deflected off Youri Baas’ leg onto his arm, while the second was conceded by Anton Gaaei.
Osimhen blasted both spot-kicks past Pasveer, completing his historic hat-trick and sealing a dominant win.
Ajax remain bottom of the table, having lost all four of their matches with a 14–1 aggregate score, while Galatasaray climb to ninth as they push for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the knockout stage.
The night not only revived Galatasaray’s campaign – it also cemented Osimhen’s place in Nigerian football history.