Kane, Vinicius: 12 players with hat-trick in UCL 2024/25 season

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has been nothing short of sensational, uncovering many unforgettable moments from curling free kicks to sensational comebacks, every fixture seems magical but what is more unforgettable is the goal-fest, with a record-equaling 12 hat-tricks scored in a single season, matching the 2019/20 campaign. From Bayern Munich’s routs to Dortmund’s defiance, 12 players have etched their names into the competition’s celebrated history by netting three or more goals in a match. This piece is set to explore each hat-trick, analyzing how the goals were scored, the context of each performance, and which stands out as the finest in this campaign.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich 9-2 GNK Dinamo, September 17, 2024)

Bayern once again showed class by completely finishing Dinamo in Munich, setting the tone for their campaign. Kane’s four-goal haul only the 17th four-goal performance in Champions League history began the goal rout. The first goal scored in the 7th minute: A poacher’s finish. Jamal Musiala’s low cross found Kane unmarked, tapping in from 4 yards. The second came with Kane heading in Kimmich’s corner, overpowering Dinamo defense, a typical set-piece dominance. Moreover, the hat-trick was sealed in the 43rd minute through a penalty after Musiala was fouled and one of the best penalty takers in current football did an impressive job in slotting the ball into the back of the net. As if that was not enough, Kane appeared on the score sheet with the fourth after beating pass Nevistic to get across Muller’s through-ball, slotting in from 10 yards.

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Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund 7-1 Celtic, October 1, 2024)

Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park saw Adeyemi’s pace torch Celtic in a thrashing. Goal number one came in the 11th minute when Adeyemi curled a 20-yard shot past Schmeichel after Gittens’ run, such an amazing individual brilliance. In the 29th minute, he appeared again for his second goal as he outran Celtic defense to get Brandt’s diagonal pass, slotting low from 12 yards. He completed the hat-trick in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot after Taylor’s foul.

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund, October 22, 2024)

Losing to Dortmund at home by 2-0, is what many football enthusiasts will call a revenge for taking the champions league crown last season but Real Madrid did what they have always been known to do best by setting up a Bernebeu comeback, with Vinicius’ hat-trick sealing a clear win. The first goal in the 62nd minute: Vinicius dribbled past Schlotterbeck off Mbappe’s layoff, curling a 15-yard shot. In the 86th minute, a penalty was awarded after Can’s foul and Vinicius slotted low left to put the game on parity. To complete the comeback, the third goal came in the 93rd minute from a 60-yard solo run from a corner, rounding Kobel and making it one of Real Madrid’s Bernebeu iconic comeback.

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Raphinha (Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich, October 23, 2024)

The Brazilian has been in the form of his life, many moments have come out of his match performances but the most memorable was when he helped Barcelona end a nine-game winless run against Bayern, such a humiliation to one of the Blaugranas biggest foe in European competitions. Raphinha open his hat-trick record in the first minute when he intercepted Upamecano’s pass, curling past Neuer from 14 yards. He did the double in the 36th minute from Yamal’s through-ball, slotting it over Neuer from 12 yards. In the 56th minute, Lopez’s pass found Raphinha as he cut inside, blasting a shot from 20 yards.

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Luis Diaz (Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen, November 5, 2024)

Diaz made sure the Reds were dominant at Anfield over Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen. The first goal 61st minute from Cody Gakpo’s cross meeting Diaz who was unmarked as he headed home the ball from 5 yards. The double came in the 83rd minute from Salah’s cutback creating a chance for Diaz rifled 12 yards shot. Diaz joined the UCL hat-trick camp as he tapped in after Alexander-Arnold’s free kick in the 90th with 2nd minute of extra time.

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Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP 4-1 Manchester City, November 5, 2024)

Gyokeres helped Ruben Amorim in humbling City in Lisbon, shocking Guardiola’s side, who were expecting a solid victory and that night was not the best for Guardiola. The first goal came in the 38th minute as the Swedish striker volleyed Ederson’s parry from 10 yards. In the 49th minute, he did the double from the penalty spot after Dias’ foul and Gyokeres went low right, a calm and comfortable penalty. He made the epic comeback for Sporting guaranteed with his third in the 81st minute from Araujo’s cross, heading home the ball from 6 yards.

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Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica 4-5 Barcelona, February 21, 2025, Knockout Phase Play-Off)

Pavlidis’ four goals nearly brought triumph for Benfica, but they fell short in a nine-goal thriller. He opened the scoring in the 14th minute from Di María’s through-ball as Pavlidis outpaced Martinez, slotting the ball home from 12 yards. He made the double in the 32nd minute from the penalty spot after Cubarsí’s foul, driving the ball low. His third goal was in the 67th minute with a Di María’s cross, Pavlidis headed 8 yards. He joined the camp of players with four goals in a single game as he tapped in Akturkoglu’s parry from 4 yards.

Ousmane Dembele (Stuttgart 1-4 PSG, January 29, 2025)

Fellow Ballon d’Or contender, Dembele’s was in superb action as his treble fueled PSG’s cruise past Stuttgart. He opened the hat-trick record when he curled 20 yards past Nubel. Dembele’s double came in the 55th minute from Barcola’s pass; Dembele with his wonderful footwork, made the shot from 10 yards. Sealing his UCL hat-trick record was in the 72nd minute as Dembele tapped Neves’ pass from 5 yards.

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Lautaro Martinez (Inter 3-0 Monaco, January 29, 2025)

Fillipo Inzaghi’s starman, Martinez dominated Monaco’s weak defense at San Siro. Martinez headed home Dimarco’s corner, outjumping Singo in the 19th minute. The Argentine international did the double in the 45th minute from Calhanoglu’s through-ball, Martínez chipped Zakaria from 14 yards. In the 72nd minute he joined the ranks of players with UCL hat-tricks as he volleyed Thuram’s cross from 10 yards.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic, January 29, 2025)

Aston Villa should be on their knees in appreciation to Rogers for making them go this far in the Champions League as he overpowered Celtic at Villa Park. The English forward appeared on the score sheet with his first goal in the 28th minute from Watkins’ flick; Rogers outran Scales, and smashed the ball from 16 yards. In the 53rd minute he got his double from the penality spot after Carter-Vickers’ foul. Rogers blasted high into the back of the net. Moreover, his third goal came in the 79th minute from McGinn’s layoff setting up Rogers curling effort from 22 yards.

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City, February 19, 2025)

The French forward has been used to having impressive moments in the Champions League like his hat-trick against Barcelona in Camp Nou. Mbappe’s treble became his first for the Los Blancos in the Champions League as it humbled City at the Bernebeu. He opened the scoring in the 17th minute from Bellingham’s diagonal cross as he dribbled past Gvardiol, before slotting the ball from 12 yards. Mbappe’s double came in the 44th minute from Vinicius’ cutback, striking the net from 10 yards. He completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute as he tapped in Rodrygo’s pass from 4 yards.

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Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona, April 15, 2025, Quarter-Final Second Leg)

The odds were impossible for Dortmund after trailing 4-0 from the first leg. However, they fought valiantly at Signal Iduna Park, with Guirassy’s treble being the latest addition, giving Barcelona a late scare despite a 3-5 aggregate win. His 13th, 14th, and 15th Champions League goals set a Dortmund single-season record. Guirassy began his hat-trick came in the 11th minute from the penality spot after Inigo Martinez fouled Jamie Gittens. Guirassy sent Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way, drilling low left. His second goal came early in the second half in the 49th minute from Felix Nmecha’s cross which found Guirassy as he powered in a 6-yard header past Szczesny, beating Pau Cubarsi. Guirassy hatrick was completed in the 76th minute as he latched onto Julian Brandt’s through-ball, outrunning Jules Kounde and slotting a 12-yard shot under Szczesny.

Evaluating the best hat-trick

To crown the finest, the judgement will be based on the quality of the opposition, the match context, the goal variety, and individual impact (any game-changing moments).

Opposition Quality

Vinicius, Raphinha, Gyokeres, Mbappe, Pavlidis and Guirassy faced superior teams (Dortmund, Bayern, City, Barcelona), all top-5 league contenders. Kane, Adeyemi, and Rogers hit weaker teams (Dinamo, Celtic), while, Dembele, Martinez, and Diaz faced mid-tier opposition (Stuttgart, Monaco, Leverkusen).

Match Context

Vinicius’ comeback from 2-0 down and Mbappe’s win against City were important in a high-stake match. Raphinha’s early strike just powered Barcelona’s upset, and Gyokeres shocked City. Guirassy’s treble, while setting a record, came in a losing effort with the tie nearly decided, something less decisive than Vinicius’ game-changing moment. Kane and Adeyemi’s routs lacked the drama to compete, and Pavlidis’ four goals could not secure a win.

Goal Variety

Raphinha (interception, dribble, long-range), Vinicius (dribble, penalty, solo run), and Guirassy (penalty, header, breakaway) showed diverse finishing. Kane and Pavlidis (four goals each) mixed tap-ins, headers, penalties, and runs. Mbappe leaned on pace, while Gyokeres just used the combination of power and precision from counter attacks together with penalty.

Individual Impact

Pavlidis (2.7 xG, 8 shots) and Raphinha (2.4 xG, 7 shots) led statistically, but against varying defenses. Vinicius (1.7 xG, 3.8 dribbles), Mbappe (1.9 xG, 7 shots), and Guirassy (2.1 xG, 6 shots) shifted momentum against stronger teams. Kane’s 1.8 xG came against weaker opposition. Note: all statistics were obtained from opta website

The Final judgement

Vinicius Junior’s hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund remains the best based on the above evaluation. His treble turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory, combining his dribbling ability, his composure in the penalty spot, and his audacity from a 60-yard solo run. Dortmund’s defensive solidity (1.2 xGA) and the match’s stakes, a crucial group-stage win just makes it special. Mbapp’s City masterclass comes second for its clinical edge, and Guirassy’s record-breaking Barcelona haul ranks third for its quality against a top side, because it lacked that ability to change an almost decided loss. Raphinha’s Bayern rout and Gyokeres’ City upset are notable, but Vinicius’ hat-trick context, quality of the opposition, and the spectacles that came with each goal especially the last made it supreme.

The legacy of the 2024/25 UCL hat-tricks

With 12 hat-trick goals, this season has redefined Champions League scoring. Guirassy’s hat-trick against Barcelona set a competition record, as he became the first African to score three goals in a single game against the Blaugranas. As the semi-finals draws close, these heroes led by Vinicius’ Bernebeu magic. Definitely, there will be more but who will be the next is a promise in upcoming fixtures in the Champions League.