From Kane to Ilenikhena: 5 records that have already been broken in the new Champions League format

UEFA Champions League record-breakers | Imago

From Kane to Ilenikhena: 5 records that have already been broken in the new Champions League format

Ayoola Kelechi 12:38 - 20.09.2024

George Ilenikhena was only one of two Nigerian stars to set a new milestone in the revamped Champions League matchday one

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.