The Nigerian forward delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice from the penalty spot and once from open play, as the Turkish champions strengthened their European campaign.
Osimhen’s treble also makes him the first Galatasaray player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League since Burak Yilmaz achieved the feat against Cluj in 2012.
After a tight first half, Osimhen opened the scoring in the 59th minute, rising above Ajax defenders to head home a powerful cross past goalkeeper Remko Pasveer. He doubled the lead just seven minutes later after a VAR review confirmed a handball in the Ajax box, calmly slotting the penalty into the bottom corner.
The Nigerian completed his historic hat-trick in the 78th minute, converting another penalty after Gerald Alders handled the ball inside the area. His celebration showed pride and relief as his teammates surrounded him in front of jubilant Galatasaray fans.
With this milestone, Osimhen joins Yakubu Ayegbeni, who netted a hat-trick for Maccabi Haifa against Olympiacos in 2002, as the only Nigerians to have scored a hat-trick in the competition’s history.
The 26-year-old forward’s recent form has been electric — scoring 12 goals in his last eight European games, including braces against Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt, and goals versus AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, and Liverpool.
Osimhen also set a new record as the highest-scoring Nigerian in Champions League history with 15 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ tally of 10. Wednesday’s game marked his 50th appearance for Galatasaray and 20th in the Champions League, putting him within one game of matching the Nigerian record for UCL appearances jointly held by Victor Ikpeba and Celestine Babayaro.
His overall 25 goals in European competitions now make him Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in UEFA tournaments, underscoring his growing legacy as one of Africa’s finest strikers.
Galatasaray’s resurgence in Europe continues under his leadership, as the club looks to secure a knockout-stage berth for the first time since 2013.
