Top Players Who Scored the Most Goals in a Single Champions League Match
The UEFA Champions League stands as Europe’s premier club competition, where scoring multiple goals in a single game is a rare feat. Here, we review the players who have managed to net four or more goals in one Champions League match, showcasing some of the most memorable individual performances.
Top Performers by Goals Scored in a Single Champions League Game
- Lionel Messi - 5 Goals
- Luiz Adriano - 5 Goals
- Erling Haaland - 5 Goals
- Marco van Basten - 4 Goals
- Simone Inzaghi - 4 Goals
- Dado Prso - 4 Goals
- Ruud van Nistelrooy - 4 Goals
- Andriy Shevchenko - 4 Goals
- Lionel Messi (second time) - 4 Goals
- Bafetimbi Gomis - 4 Goals
- Mario Gomez - 4 Goals
- Robert Lewandowski - 4 Goals
Detailed Player Highlights
- Robert Lewandowski: Scored four goals against Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League semi-final first leg, helping Borussia Dortmund to a 4-1 win. He finished that campaign with 10 goals, boosting his reputation and earning a transfer to Bayern Munich.
- Mario Gomez: Netted four goals during Bayern Munich's 7-0 thrashing of FC Basel in 2012. Known for his strength and consistent scoring, he finished with 26 goals in 44 UCL appearances.
- Bafetimbi Gomis: Became the first French player in over forty years to score four goals in a European match when Lyon beat Dinamo Zagreb 7-1 in 2011.
- Lionel Messi: Achieved a stunning four-goal haul against Arsenal in 2010, including a famous chip over Manuel Almunia. He later topped the list by scoring five goals versus Bayer Leverkusen in 2012, a performance etched in Champions League history.
- Andriy Shevchenko: Scored four goals in AC Milan’s 4-0 victory at Fenerbahce in 2005, becoming the first player to net four goals away in the competition.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy: Scored four goals for Manchester United against Sparta Prague in the 2004-05 season, the first United player since Denis Law to do so in Europe.
- Dado Prso: Contributed half of Monaco’s goals in their remarkable 8-3 win over Deportivo La Coruna in 2003, scoring four himself.
- Simone Inzaghi: Surprised many by scoring four goals in Lazio’s 5-1 win over Marseille in 2000.
- Marco van Basten: The first to score four goals after the Champions League was rebranded from the European Cup, achieving this against IFK Goteborg in 1992.
- Erling Haaland: A modern goal-scoring force who scored five goals for Manchester City against RB Leipzig in 2023, joining Messi and Luiz Adriano as the only players to reach that mark.
- Luiz Adriano: Scored five goals for Shakhtar Donetsk in a 7-0 group stage win over Bate Borisov in 2014, setting a record for most goals against a single opponent in the competition.
List of Players with Most Goals in a Single Champions League Match
- Name: Lionel Messi Goals: 5 Team: Barcelona Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen Year: 2012
- Name: Luiz Adriano Goals: 5 Team: Shakhtar Donetsk Opponent: Bate Borisov Year: 2014
- Name: Erling Haaland Goals: 5 Team: Manchester City Opponent: RB Leipzig Year: 2023
- Name: Marco van Basten Goals: 4 Team: AC Milan Opponent: IFK Goteborg Year: 1992
- Name: Simone Inzaghi Goals: 4 Team: Lazio Opponent: Marseille Year: 2000
- Name: Dado Prso Goals: 4 Team: Monaco Opponent: Deportivo La Coruna Year: 2003
- Name: Ruud van Nistelrooy Goals: 4 Team: Manchester United Opponent: Sparta Prague Year: 2004
- Name: Andriy Shevchenko Goals: 4 Team: AC Milan Opponent: Fenerbahce Year: 2005
- Name: Lionel Messi Goals: 4 Team: Barcelona Opponent: Arsenal Year: 2010
- Name: Bafetimbi Gomis Goals: 4 Team: Lyon Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb Year: 2011
- Name: Mario Gomez Goals: 4 Team: Bayern Munich Opponent: Basel Year: 2012
- Name: Robert Lewandowski Goals: 4 Team: Borussia Dortmund Opponent: Real Madrid Year: 2013
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who holds the record for most goals in a single Champions League game?Lionel Messi, who scored five goals against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
- What is the record for most goals in a single Champions League season?Cristiano Ronaldo with 17 goals during the 2013/14 season.
- Which players have scored five goals in a single Champions League match?Lionel Messi, Luiz Adriano, and Erling Haaland.
- Who has scored the most Champions League goals for one club?Lionel Messi holds that record.
