
<p><strong>Victor Osimhen</strong> delivered a masterclass in Amsterdam, scoring three goals to lead Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax on Wednesday night. The prolific striker's clinical performance highlighted a dramatic Matchday 4 that saw the Champions League league phase reach its halfway mark.</p>
<p>Manchester City and Inter both extended their perfect records, while Barcelona and Club Brugge played out a six-goal thriller in Belgium. Debutants Pafos claimed their first-ever Champions League win, and Newcastle kept their third consecutive clean sheet.</p>
<p>Osimhen became just the second player to score a Champions League hat-trick for Galatasaray, following Burak Yılmaz's treble against CFR Cluj in 2012.</p>
<h2>How Did Osimhen Dismantle Ajax's Defence?</h2>
<p>The Nigerian striker went close in the first half but was denied by a fine save from Remko Pasveer. That proved to be only a temporary reprieve for the Dutch side.</p>
<p>Osimhen broke through by stooping to head in a wonderful cross from<strong> Leroy Sané</strong>. He then added two penalties, both awarded for fouls, to complete his treble and secure all three points for the Turkish champions.</p>
<h2>Can Manchester City and Inter Maintain Perfect Starts?</h2>
<p>Inter kept their flawless record intact with a 2-1 victory over Kairat Almaty at San Siro.<strong> Lautaro Martínez</strong> scrambled the ball in during the 45th minute to give the hosts the lead, though visiting goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov had been in fine form.</p>
<p>Ofri Arad levelled within ten minutes of the restart, heading in after Inter failed to clear a corner. That was the first goal Cristian Chivu's side had conceded in this season's competition. <strong>Carlos Augusto</strong> sealed victory 12 minutes later when he drilled into the net from range.</p>
<p>Manchester City inflicted Borussia Dortmund's first defeat of the league phase with a 4-1 thumping. <strong>Phil Foden</strong> swept in expertly midway through the first half, before <strong>Erling Haaland</strong> grabbed his 27th goal for club and country this season seven minutes later with a powerful effort.</p>
<p>Foden claimed his first Champions League double with almost a carbon copy of his opener shortly before the hour. Waldemar Anton cut the deficit by turning in Julian Ryerson's cross, but substitute <strong>Rayan Cherki</strong> restored the three-goal lead in added time after a surging run.</p>
<h2>What Happened in the Club Brugge vs Barcelona Thriller?</h2>
<p>Barcelona equalised three times to eventually draw 3-3 in a scintillating contest in Bruges. After Nicolo Tresoldi and<strong> Ferran Torres</strong> traded early strikes, <strong>Carlos Forbs</strong> curled in from a counterattack to give Club Brugge a half-time lead.</p>
<p><strong>Lamine Yamal</strong> then completed a dazzling run by levelling, but a delicate Forbs finish restored the hosts' advantage. Yamal's effort diverted in off Christos Tzolis to make it 3-3.</p>
<p><strong>Pedri López, Jules Koundé</strong> and <strong>Eric García</strong> all hit the woodwork for Barça, who have seven points. That's three more than the Belgian side.</p>
<h2>Which Underdogs Claimed Crucial Victories?</h2>
<p>Pafos earned their first-ever win in the Champions League proper with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in Limassol. <strong>Derrick Luckassen</strong> met <strong>Ken Sema's</strong> corner to score a minute after the restart.</p>
<p>The visitors went closest during a quiet first half, goalkeeper Neofytos Michael using a leg to impressively repel<strong> Pape Gueye's</strong> shot from inside the box in a one-on-one. <strong>Nicolas Pépé</strong> shot narrowly wide for two-time semi-finalists Villarreal, who remain on one point.</p>
<p>Qarabağ claimed a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in Baku after <strong>Alejandro Garnacho's</strong> crisp finish allowed the visitors to salvage a point.<strong> Estêvão</strong> gave Chelsea the lead after squeezing his 16th-minute strike just inside the upright, but Qarabağ hit back with two goals in ten minutes through Leandro Andrade's precise effort and a cool <strong>Marko Janković</strong> penalty.</p>
<h2>How Are Newcastle Building Momentum?</h2>
<p>Newcastle made it three wins and clean sheets in a row to move up to sixth in the table with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at St James' Park.<strong> Dan Burn's</strong> long-range header curled inside the post following a <strong>Kieran Tripper</strong> free-kick to give the hosts the lead.</p>
<p>Eddie Howe's team doubled their advantage in the second period thanks to another header from <strong>Joelinton</strong>, putting away a <strong>Harvey Barnes</strong> cross. Nico Serrano had three late attempts in vain for the visitors, who remain on three points from four games.</p>
<h2>What Other Results Shaped Matchday 4?</h2>
<p>Atalanta snatched a late 1-0 win over Marseille when<strong> Lazar Samardžić</strong> came off the bench to unleash an unstoppable curling strike. An entertaining draw was on the cards until the Serbian winger cut inside on the break.</p>
<p>Marseille dominated throughout and could easily have gone ahead, but <strong>Charles De Ketelaere</strong> missed an early sitter. <strong>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</strong> and <strong>Nikola Krstović</strong> both also spurned chances.</p>
<p>Bayer Leverkusen remain without a point in the league phase after a 1-0 defeat by Benfica in Lisbon. José Mourinho's side dominated proceedings but spurned some good chances, Dodi Lukébakio and <strong>Nicolás Otamendi</strong> hitting the bar in the first half before Mark Flekken denied <strong>Vangelis Pavlidis</strong> after the break. <strong>Patrik Schick</strong> pounced on a loose clearance to head into the net shortly after the hour to stun the hosts.</p>
Relevant Articles
The 4-3-2-1 Formation: Soccer’s Christmas Tree Explained
The 4-3-2-1 formation explained. Setup, tactics, and betting insights for football’s most unusual shape.
The English Soccer Pyramid System: Complete Guide to All 11 Levels
A comprehensive guide to England's unique football league structure, explaining how teams climb from grassroots to the Premier League.
Gattuso's Stark Warning: Italy Boss Threatens Self-Exile
Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has issued a blunt warning ahead of World Cup qualifiers, saying he’d go into self-exile if Italy fail again.
1
JOINOnly takes3 minutes
2
DEPOSITIt's safe andsecure
3
BETGreat oddsand specials


