In a competition renowned for dramatic contests and individual brilliance, a rare feat stands above the rest: scoring five goals in a single Champions League match. Only three players have accomplished this remarkable achievement – Luiz Adriano,Lionel Messi,and Erling Haaland – etching their names into the tournament’s history [[1]]. This article details each of these exceptional performances, highlighting the context and significance of their scoring records in the prestigious European competition.
Who Holds the Champions League Record for Most Goals in a Single Match?
The Champions League has witnessed countless moments of brilliance, but a select few performances stand out for sheer goal-scoring dominance. Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Luiz Adriano all share a remarkable distinction: each has scored five goals in a single Champions League match.
Luiz Adriano was the first to achieve this feat, netting five times for Shakhtar Donetsk against BATE Borisov on October 21, 2014. The Brazilian forward’s performance propelled Shakhtar to a commanding 7-0 victory. This remains a benchmark for individual scoring in the competition.
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of all time, equaled Adriano’s record on February 17, 2016, during Barcelona’s dominant 7-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen. Messi’s five-goal haul showcased his exceptional finishing and cemented his status as a Champions League legend. The result underscored Barcelona’s strength during their run to the tournament’s later stages.
Most recently, Erling Haaland joined the exclusive club on November 8, 2023, with a stunning five-goal performance for Manchester City against Serbian side Red Star Belgrade. Haaland’s goals powered City to a 3-2 victory, demonstrating his prolific scoring ability on Europe’s biggest stage. The Norwegian striker’s performance highlighted his immediate impact for the Premier League champions.
These three players—Luiz Adriano, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland—are the only footballers to have ever scored five goals in a single Champions League game, a testament to their extraordinary talent and clinical finishing.
