Victor Osimhen scored a second-half hat-trick as Galatasaray defeated Ajax 3–0 at the Johan Cruyff Arena to maintain their near-perfect start in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Galatasaray made it three wins from three with a commanding performance in Amsterdam on Wednesday night, as Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen delivered a decisive display to lead Okan Buruk’s side past the Dutch giants.
After a cagey first half, Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, rising to meet Leroy Sané’s cross with a precise header.
He added two more from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick and seal an emphatic away victory for the Turkish champions.“We Deserved It,” Says Osimhen
Speaking after the match, Osimhen praised his team’s preparation and collective effort.
“Overall, I think we deserved it,” he told Galatasaray’s official website. “We knew what Ajax would do, and we were well-prepared mentally and psychologically. I’m delighted with the goals, but this was a team performance. We’ll keep building on this momentum.”
Chasing the Top Scorer Title
Osimhen now leads the Champions League scoring chart with six goals from four matches and believes he can challenge for the competition’s Golden Boot.
“I think I have the quality to do it,” he said. “But I owe it to my teammates, they always look to find me. It’s a team effort, and with their support, it’s possible. I’ll fight for it.”
Record Night for the Nigerian Forward
The 26-year-old made history in Amsterdam, becoming the highest-scoring Nigerian player in European competitions with 25 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ previous record of 23.
He also became only the second Nigerian to score a Champions League hat-trick, after Yakubu Aiyegbeni achieved the feat for Maccabi Haifa against Olympiacos in 2002.
Osimhen is the first Galatasaray player to net a hat-trick in the tournament since Burak Yılmaz’s treble against Cluj in 2012, and the first to score in eight consecutive European matches for the club.
He has now scored 12 European goals for Galatasaray, equalling the record held by Milan Baroš and Shabani Nonda.
Galatasaray’s victory leaves them in the top 8 firmly in control of their qualification hopes. With Osimhen in prolific form, Okan Buruk’s side will be seen as serious contenders heading into the latter stages of the competition.
