Victor Osimhen makes UEFA Champions League history with Napoli goal

The Nigeria international missed the first leg encounter through injury but returned in time for the second leg as Napoli try to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

On his return, Osimhen was on target for Luciano Spalletti’s men, but it was not enough to see them through to the semis at the expense of Milan.

However, his late lone effort  was enough to break some records in the prestigious UEFA Champions League history as the 24-year-old has joined the list of Nigerian players with the most goals in a single UCL campaign.

His latest goal saw him equaled the record of five goals in a single UCL campaign by a Nigerian player.

The record which was set by Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the 2002/03 season was equaled by Obafemi Martins’ in the 2004/05 season with Inter as he helped the Italian team to the quarterfinals before losing to AC Milan.

Osimhen also became the first Nigerian player with the most knockout goals in the history of the Champions League, surpassing the record was previously held by Martins, who had three goals in the UCL knockout stage.

However, after scoring three times over two legs against Frankfurt in the 2022/23 Round of 16, Osimhen’s lone goal against Milan means he now has four goals in the competition knockout phase.

It was the first time in the history of Napoli to reach the UCL quarterfinal but were unable to score in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie against Milan and Osimhen becomes the first Napoli player to score in the quarterfinal stage.

The Neapolitans, will be left to secure a Scudetto if they maintain their lead at the top of the Serie A table, having crashed out from all competitive games.