Victor Osimhen scored a sensational hat-trick to power Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night.
The result catapulted the Turkish giants to ninth place in the UEFA Champions League standings.
After a goalless first half, the Nigerian superstar broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a daring diving header.
Leroy Sané whipped in a pinpoint inswinging cross from the flank, and Osimhen outjumped the Ajax defense to connect powerfully.
Goalkeeper Remko Pasveer rushed off his line in an attempt to intercept, but Osimhen’s timing was impeccable, directing the ball into the net.
Just seven minutes later, Osimhen doubled his tally from the penalty spot.
Ajax defender Youri Baas was penalized for handling the ball inside the 18-yard box.
Unfazed by the pressure, Osimhen calmly slotted the spot-kick past Pasveer, who guessed correctly but could not reach the well-placed effort.
The hat-trick was sealed in style in the 78th minute with another penalty.
Osimhen stepped up once more, smashing the ball into the top corner with venomous precision.
With this treble, Osimhen now tops this season’s Champions League goalscoring charts with six goals in just three matches.
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The 26-year-old has been in good form across all competitions, notching 11 goals to date—including two hat-tricks.
Galatasaray’s defensive solidity complemented Osimhen’s attacking prowess, ensuring a clean sheet and three vital points on the road.
Osimhen’s red-hot streak comes at a perfect time with the continental World Cup playoffs coming up next week in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles will be hoping their talismanic forward carries this momentum into the international stage.
