Saturday, July 18, 2026

Champions League: Osimhen scores hat-trick, Man City whip Dortmund, Barcelona held

The matchday saw Chelsea held to a 2-2 draw by newcomers Qarabag FK, while Pafos FC shocked Villarreal with a narrow 1-0 victory.

• November 6, 2025
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen stole the spotlight on Champions League matchday four, scoring a hat-trick for Galatasaray against Ajax, while Manchester City cruised past Borussia Dortmund 4-1, and Barcelona were held to a shocking 3-3 draw by Club Brugge.

Turkish giants Galatasaray hit hosts Ajax as club frontman and Nigerian International Victor Osimhen delivered his first Champions League hat-trick to seal all three points for his side.

Osimhen was denied twice in the first half by Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, but the attacker eventually broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, tapping in Leroy Sané’s cross to give his side the lead.

The advantages increased with two late penalties, both for handball, which completed his hat-trick and made him the competition’s top scorer this season.

The victory lifts Galatasaray to ninth place in the group standings between Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona.

Over in Manchester, City thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-1 at the Etihad, extending their perfect home run in the Champions League.

Phil Foden opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from outside the box before Erling Haaland netted minutes later against his former club. Foden added a second after the break, and substitute Rayan Cherki sealed the win in stoppage time after Dortmund’s Anton briefly threatened a comeback.

City now turn their focus to a huge Premier League clash with Liverpool before meeting Bayer Leverkusen in its next Champions League tie.

A superb end-to-end clash saw Barcelona and Club Brugge share the points in a 3-3 draw. Club Brugge took the lead early when Carlos Forbs broke through and set up striker Nicolo Tresoldi to score. Ferran Torres quickly equalised for Barcelona, but Forbs struck again in the 17th minute to make it 2-1.

In the second half, Lamine Yamal’s brilliant run and fantastic finish helped Barcelona level, before Forbs scored his second to put Brugge ahead again.

VAR later denied him a penalty, and Barcelona equalised once more when Christos Tzolis accidentally turned the ball into his own net. In stoppage time, Brugge had a crucial opportunity to win the game with a goal from Romeo Vermant that was ruled out.

The matchday saw Chelsea held to a 2-2 draw by newcomers Qarabag FK, while Pafos FC shocked Villarreal with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Newcastle continued their good form in the campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, and Atalanta edged Marseille with a late goal to secure a clean sheet. Bayer Leverkusen earned a crucial away win against Benfica, and Inter Milan defeated Kairat Almaty 2-1.

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