Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres showcased his immense talent by delivering a sensational hat-trick during an impressive 4-1 Champions League triumph over Manchester City, leaving fans and analysts alike in awe of his skill and precision on the field.
In doing so, he joined an exclusive group of players, standing alongside global football icons Lionel Messi and Christopher Nkunku, who have previously managed to achieve the rare feat of scoring three goals against Manchester City in a Champions League match.
Gyokeres now holds the distinction of being only the third player to net a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League. Messi first accomplished this in Barcelona’s commanding 4-0 victory over City in 2016, while Nkunku followed suit with a hat-trick during RB Leipzig’s thrilling 6-3 match against City in 2021.
With this remarkable performance, the Swedish international not only made headlines but also set a new milestone for Sporting Lisbon, becoming the club’s first player in 42 years to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, a feat last achieved by Antonio Oliveira against Dinamo Zagreb in the 1982 European Cup.
Gyokeres opened the scoring seven minutes before halftime, displaying precise timing and skill. He went on to complete his hat-trick by successfully converting two penalties in the second half, showcasing his composure under pressure and solidifying his outstanding season with an impressive tally of 23 goals in 17 games so far.
Reflecting on his stellar performance and the team’s success, Gyokeres expressed his joy after the match, saying, “It’s always nice to score and even better to score a hat-trick. Most important was to win the game, so it was a brilliant night for us.”