‎Osimhen emerges as Europe’s goal machine after hat trick against Ajax

‎Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick as Galatasaray handed Ajax their fourth straight defeat in the Champions League this season.
‎
‎The Nigeria striker took his European tally to six goals this term as he opened the scoring in the 59th minute before firing home two from the penalty spot.
‎
‎According to the BBC, with his hat-trick, Osimhen reached 25 goals in European competition and overtook former Inter Milan and Newcastle forward Obafemi Martins to become Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in Europe.
‎
‎The 26-year-old is the top scorer in the league phase of the Champions League this term, one goal ahead of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
‎
‎Ajax had entered half-time on level terms thanks to goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, who made two brilliant saves to stop Osimhen.
‎
‎But Pasveer could do little to hold him back after the restart, with Osimhen racing in front of defender Josip Sutalo to head home Leroy Sane’s cross.
‎
‎Ajax’s evening went from bad to worse when the referee awarded the Turkish side two penalties – both for handball offences.
‎
‎Osimhen effortlessly slotted in the first, which had been given after a video assistant referee (VAR) review showed the ball ricocheting off the leg of Youri Baas and on to the Dutchman’s arm.
‎
‎And he made no mistake with the second spot-kick, conceded by Anton Gaaei, as he blasted his strike into the top-right corner.
‎
‎The result leaves Ajax rooted to the bottom of the table, with the Dutch side having lost all four of their Champions League games by an aggregate score of 14-1.
‎
‎Galatasaray, meanwhile, moved up to ninth and closed in on a place in the top eight, where teams seal automatic progress to the knockout round.