Osimhen bags hat-trick as Napoli spank Sassuolo
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was at his very best, scoring a hat-trick for Napoli in their commanding 6-1 victory over Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium-Citta del Tricolore on Wednesday.
Napoli returned to Serie A action, eager to secure a crucial win under the guidance of Francesco Calzona after drawing their last two games. The Partenopeans were determined to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Taking the lead in Napoli’s attacking line, Osimhen was supported by Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Despite a slow start that saw Napoli fall behind with a goal from Uros Racic in the 17th minute, they swiftly turned the tide with Osimhen leading the charge.
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Amir Rrahmani leveled the score for Napoli in the 29th minute before Osimhen took charge, netting two goals in quick succession in the 31st and 41st minutes to give Napoli a commanding 3-1 lead at halftime.
Napoli continued their dominance in the second half, with Osimhen calmly converting a pass from Kvaratskhelia to extend their lead to 4-1. Osimhen turned provider in the 51st minute, setting up Kvaratskhelia for Napoli’s fifth goal, before the Georgian completed his brace in the 75th minute, sealing a resounding 6-1 victory.
Osimhen’s stellar performance included five goal attempts and three goals in 76 minutes of play. His hat-trick elevated his season tally to ten goals, making him only the third player in Napoli’s history to score at least ten goals in four consecutive Serie A seasons, following Diego Maradona (1984/85 – 1987/88) and Attila Sallustro (1929/30 – 1932/33).
With this emphatic win, Napoli now sits eight points behind the Champions League spots, bolstering their aspirations for a top-four finish in the Serie A standings.
