Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has etched his name into European football history after an extraordinary night in Amsterdam. Representing Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen delivered a second-half masterclass, scoring a hat-trick as the club secured a commanding 3-0 victory over AFC Ajax in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
A Historic Achievement for Club & Country
The 26-year-old’s treble marked the first time a Galatasaray player has netted three goals in a Champions League match since Burak Yilmaz achieved the feat in 2012.
Osimhen also became only the second Nigerian ever to score a Champions League hat-trick, joining Yakubu Ayegbeni from 2002.
The Performance: Breaking Down the Goals
After a goalless first half, Osimhen erupted in the second. In the 59th minute he rose highest to glance home a fine cross from Leroy Sané, putting Galatasaray ahead. Seven minutes later, he coolly converted a penalty awarded for a deliberate handball. In the 78th minute, another spot-kick followed — Osimhen stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.
The win lifted Galatasaray into their best start of a Champions League group phase in years, while Ajax remained rooted to the bottom of their group with zero points.
Building on an Unstoppable Run
This achievement built on an already blistering run of form for Osimhen: just weeks earlier, he had scored a brace in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Bodø/Glimt on October 22.
Now he leads the Champions League scoring charts, positioning himself among Europe’s elite.
Why It Matters
For Nigeria’s global football diaspora, Osimhen’s accomplishment resonates deeply. His feat is not just about personal glory — it reflects the potential of Nigerian talent on the world stage and strengthens connections between African football narratives and European competition.
As Afro Diaspora Pulse celebrates stories of African excellence abroad, Osimhen’s milestone offers a powerful example of how one individual can bridge continents through performance, ambition, and legacy.
