Manchester City star Phil Foden has beaten Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to the UEFA Champions League player of the week for Matchday four.
Foden was crucial for Manchester City in their 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, scoring two beautiful goals from outside the box as the Premier League side secured their third win in the Champions League this season, taking them up to fourth in the league phase standings.
Osimhen was also superb on Wednesday night, scoring a hat-trick to inspire Galatasaray to a 3-0 victory over Ajax. The Nigerian striker’s goals ensured that the Turkish side got their best-ever start to a Champions League campaign as they are now ninth in the standings.
Osimhen finished as the second-best player of the week, just behind Foden. Carlos Forbs, who scored a brace and got an assist as Club Brugge held Barcelona to a thrilling 3-3 draw, finished third, while Arsenal’s Mikel Merino ended fourth after his two goals against Slavia Prague.
The hat-trick was Osimhen’s first in the Champions League and earned him a third consecutive Man of the Match award in the competition, a feat rarely matched by players of his age or experience.
The 26-year-old has now become Europe’s top scorer in the UCL this season with six goals, underlining both his predatory instinct and his growing stature.
Galatasaray’s coach lauded his performance, acknowledging that Osimhen had provided the cutting edge the team needed.
Osimhen will quickly turn his attention to the national team as he hopes to lead Nigeria to the World Cup. The Super Eagles will face Gabon in their CAF World Cup playoffs clash on November 13, and the forward will aim to continue his impressive form against the Panthers.
