Victor Osimhen delivered a performance for the ages as Galatasaray sealed a historic UEFA Champions League ( UCL) win over Ajax in Amsterdam, their first-ever victory on Dutch soil.
The Nigerian striker’s hat-trick not only lifted the Turkish champions in the Champions League standings but also set several remarkable records in the process.
Galatasaray made the stronger start, pushing Ajax deep into their own half and creating early openings. Osimhen twice came close inside the opening 20 minutes, forcing veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer into two fine saves, first with a fierce volley and later a header from a corner.
Ajax, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm or space, and their only notable first-half effort came from Jorthy Mokio, whose strike drifted wide.
The deadlock was broken shortly before the hour mark when Leroy Sané delivered a pinpoint cross from the right. Osimhen darted between defender Josip Sutalo and Pasveer to glance his header home, giving Galatasaray a deserved lead and extending his scoring streak to eight consecutive UEFA club matches.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
READ MORE:ogunmodede-still-in-charge-remo-stars-quash-resignation-claims
Minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage. A cross into the Ajax box struck the arm of Youri Baas, and Osimhen stepped up to calmly slot home from the penalty spot. That goal saw him become the first Galatasaray player to score a brace in back-to-back Champions League games a new milestone for the Istanbul club.
Osimehn celebrating his goal against Ajax. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Ajax’s woes deepened in the 78th minute when debutant Gerald Alders was penalised for another handball inside the area. Osimhen completed his hat-trick with authority, sending Pasveer the wrong way and sealing a commanding victory.
The treble made him only the second Nigerian ever to record a Champions League hat-trick, following Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s feat with Maccabi Haifa in 2002.
The night carried even greater significance for the Super Eagles striker. His 15th Champions League goal took his overall tally in UEFA competitions to 25 surpassing Obafemi Martins record of 23 and making Osimhen Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in European club football.
Former Napoli hitman shows off his MVP award and his hat trick ball. Photo Credit: Getty Images
His performance also earned him a third consecutive Man of the Match award in this season’s Champions League, another first for a Galatasaray player.
Substitute Mauro Icardi nearly added a fourth late on, striking the post, but the night belonged entirely to Osimhen, who now leads the Champions League scoring chart with six goals despite missing the opening match of the campaign.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
It was another bitter evening for Ajax who are on Four defeats from four have left them rooted to the bottom of their group, with manager John Heitinga under increasing pressure to find answers.
