From Kane to Ilenikhena: 5 records that have already been broken in the new Champions League format
The new Champions League season is already making waves with its revised format, and several players have shattered historic records.
From penalty hat-tricks to debut goals, here are five incredible feats that have already been achieved after matchday one.
Harry Kane hits four and sets English record
Harry Kane made an explosive start to his Champions League season, scoring four goals in Bayern Munich's 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb.
4 - Harry Kane is the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a European Cup/Champions League match, and the first Englishman to score 4 in a match in the competition since @9smudge for Arsenal against FK Austria Wien in 1991. Fab. pic.twitter.com/WjPR736xDO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2024
In doing so, he became the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a single Champions League match.
His four-goal haul also etched his name in history as the highest-scoring Englishman in the competition with 33 goals, surpassing Wayne Rooney's previous record of 30.
Thomas Muller: The ultimate one-club man
Thomas Müller added another accolade to his already illustrious career by breaking Xavi's record for the most appearances in the Champions League with a single club.
152 – Thomas Müller has appeared in 152 Champions League matches for FC Bayern Munich, breaking Xavi’s record for the most UCL matches with one club (151 for FC Barcelona). Everlasting. @esmuellert_ pic.twitter.com/3IDSp8cIdj
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 17, 2024
Coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Bayern Munich in their rout of Dinamo Zagreb, Müller made his 152nd UCL appearance, surpassing Xavi’s 151 matches for FC Barcelona, and marked the occasion with an assist for Leroy Sane’s goal.
Victor Olatunji makes African history
Victor Olatunji joined elite company by becoming the third African player to both score and assist in his UEFA Champions League debut after Daniel Cousin in 2007 (for Rangers vs Lyon) and Serge Aurier in 2015 (for PSG vs Shakhtat Donetsk).
3 - Victor Olatunji is the third African player to score and assist on his UEFA Champions League debut, after Daniel Cousin in 2007 (for Rangers vs Lyon) and Serge Aurier in 2015 (for PSG vs Shakhtat Donetsk). Indeed, he's the first 🇳🇬 Nigerian player to do so. Eagle. pic.twitter.com/BhSQeW09oo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2024
The Nigerian forward was outstanding for Sparta Praha in their 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg, becoming the first Nigerian to achieve this remarkable debut feat.
His unique celebration after the match also went viral as he marked his season debut in the Champions League with a record-breaking performance.
George Ilenikhena Overtakes Mbappe
At just 18 years and 34 days, George Ilenikhena became AS Monaco's youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League, overtaking Kylian Mbappe’s previous record.
18 - George Ilenikhena (18 years and 34 days) is the youngest @ChampionsLeague goal scorer ever for @AS_Monaco, breaking the previous record set by Kylian Mbappé in 2017 (18 years and 63 days). Prince. pic.twitter.com/ORhRn5a13n
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) September 19, 2024
His winning goal in Monaco's 2-1 victory over Barcelona reminded the watching audience that he is one of the most exciting young talents in Europe.
This was not the first time Ilenikhena has haunted Barcelona after he also scored against them last season for Royal Antwerp.
Endrick Surpasses Real Madrid Legend
Real Madrid’s teenage sensation Endrick Felipe made headlines by breaking Raul’s long-standing record as the youngest player to score for the club in the Champions League.
1 - At 18 years and 58 days, Endrick Felipe has become the youngest player to score for Real Madrid in the history of the Champions League, surpassing Raúl González Blanco's previous record against Ferencvárosi TC in 1995 (hat-trick at the age of 18 years and 113 days). Star. pic.twitter.com/KybTP5GeCD
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 17, 2024
At 18 years and 58 days, Endrick’s spectacular solo effort helped Madrid secure a 3-1 win over Stuttgart. His accomplishment surpasses Raul's 1995 record of 18 years and 113 days, making him the youngest goalscorer in the competition for Los Blancos.