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Top Players with Most Goals in a Single Champions League Match

The UEFA Champions League is Europe's premier club competition, and many players have left their mark by scoring multiple goals in a single game. This list highlights those exceptional performances, including legends like Lionel Messi, Luiz Adriano, and Erling Haaland.

Top 12 Players by Most Goals in One Champions League Game

  • 12. Robert Lewandowski – 4 Goals
  • 11. Mario Gomez – 4 Goals
  • 10. Bafetimbi Gomis – 4 Goals
  • 9. Lionel Messi – 4 Goals
  • 8. Andriy Shevchenko – 4 Goals
  • 7. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 4 Goals
  • 6. Dado Prso – 4 Goals
  • 5. Simone Inzaghi – 4 Goals
  • 4. Marco van Basten – 4 Goals
  • 3. Erling Haaland – 5 Goals
  • 2. Luiz Adriano – 5 Goals
  • 1. Lionel Messi – 5 Goals

Details on Players with Most Champions League Goals in a Single Game

12. Robert Lewandowski – 4 Goals

Lewandowski scored four goals against Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League semi-finals, leading Borussia Dortmund to a 4-1 victory in the first leg. That season he scored 10 goals overall and soon moved to Bayern Munich.

  • Matches: 130
  • Goals: 103
  • Assists: 26

11. Mario Gomez – 4 Goals

Mario Gomez netted four times in Bayern Munich's 7-0 win over FC Basel in 2012 during the last 16. Known for his strength and clinical finishing, Gomez scored 26 Champions League goals across 44 matches.

  • Matches: 44
  • Goals: 26
  • Assists: 6

10. Bafetimbi Gomis – 4 Goals

Gomis became the first French player in over 40 years to score four goals in a European match when he scored four in Lyon’s 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in 2011.

  • Matches: 23
  • Goals: 9
  • Assists: 0

9. Lionel Messi – 4 Goals

Messi scored four goals in a 2010 knockout match against Arsenal, including a memorable chipped goal over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. He is the second-highest scorer in UCL history.

  • Matches: 163
  • Goals: 129
  • Assists: 45

8. Andriy Shevchenko – 4 Goals

Shevchenko scored four goals away at Fenerbahce in 2005, becoming the first player to net four in an away Champions League game. He won the Golden Boot that season with nine goals.

  • Matches: 100
  • Goals: 48
  • Assists: 6

7. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 4 Goals

Van Nistelrooy scored four goals against Sparta Prague in 2004, becoming the first Manchester United player since 1968 to do so in a European match. He ranks sixth in all-time UCL scorers.

  • Matches: 73
  • Goals: 56
  • Assists: 18

6. Dado Prso – 4 Goals

Prso scored four goals in Monaco’s remarkable 8-3 win over Deportivo La Coruna in 2003, helping the team reach the final that year.

  • Matches: 21
  • Goals: 9
  • Assists: 1

5. Simone Inzaghi – 4 Goals

In 2000, Inzaghi scored four times in Lazio’s 5-1 Champions League win over Marseille, securing his spot among elite performers despite not being as prolific as his brother Filippo.

  • Matches: 31
  • Goals: 15
  • Assists: 3

4. Marco van Basten – 4 Goals

Van Basten was the first player to score four goals after the Champions League rebranding, doing so in 1992 versus IFK Goteborg. He won two European Cups and three Ballon d'Or awards.

  • Matches: 5
  • Goals: 6
  • Assists: 2

3. Erling Haaland – 5 Goals

Manchester City's Erling Haaland matched the five-goal mark in a 7-0 win against RB Leipzig in 2023, joining an exclusive group of players with five goals in a single match. He finished as top scorer in that UCL season.

  • Matches: 48
  • Goals: 49
  • Assists: 5

2. Luiz Adriano – 5 Goals

Luiz Adriano scored five goals for Shakhtar Donetsk against Bate Borisov in 2014, making him the second player ever to reach this tally in one game. He also holds the record for most goals against one opponent.

  • Matches: 47
  • Goals: 21
  • Assists: 5

1. Lionel Messi – 5 Goals

At the top is Lionel Messi, who scored five goals in Barcelona's 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2012's round of 16 second leg. This remains one of the most memorable individual displays in Champions League history.

  • Matches: 163
  • Goals: 129
  • Assists: 45

Summary of Players With Most Goals in a Single Champions League Game

  • Lionel Messi: 5 goals, Barcelona vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 2012
  • Luiz Adriano: 5 goals, Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bate Borisov, 2014
  • Erling Haaland: 5 goals, Manchester City vs. RB Leipzig, 2023
  • Marco van Basten: 4 goals, AC Milan vs. IFK Goteborg, 1992
  • Simone Inzaghi: 4 goals, Lazio vs. Marseille, 2000
  • Dado Prso: 4 goals, Monaco vs. Deportivo La Coruna, 2003
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy: 4 goals, Manchester United vs. Sparta Prague, 2004
  • Andriy Shevchenko: 4 goals, AC Milan vs. Fenerbahce, 2005
  • Lionel Messi: 4 goals, Barcelona vs. Arsenal, 2010
  • Bafetimbi Gomis: 4 goals, Lyon vs. Dinamo Zagreb, 2011
  • Mario Gomez: 4 goals, Bayern Munich vs. Basel, 2012
  • Robert Lewandowski: 4 goals, Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who scored the most goals in a single Champions League game?Lionel Messi scored 5 goals against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012, setting the record.
  • What is the record for most goals in a single Champions League season?Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record with 17 goals in the 2013-14 season.
  • Which players have scored 5 goals in a single UCL match?Lionel Messi, Luiz Adriano, and Erling Haaland have achieved this feat.
  • Who has scored the most Champions League goals for one club?Lionel Messi leads with the highest number of UCL goals for a single club.
  • Who scored 17 goals in a single UCL season?Cristiano Ronaldo scored 17 goals during the 2013-14 Champions League season.

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