UECL RO16: Gift Orban nets historic hat-trick, sends Gent to quarterfinals

Nigerian hotshot Gift Orban put on another terrific performance for KAA Gent as he scored a hat-trick for the Belgian side as they trounced Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 in front of their fans. The Belgian outfit booked their place in the quarterfinals of the competition with a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.

After scoring four goals in the weekend win over Zulte Waregem, Orban was once again listed in the starting lineup for the clash. He had scored his side’s equaliser in the first-leg which ended 1-1.

Gift Orban opened the scoring in the match just after the half-hour mark in the 31st minute as he finished off a pass from Hyunseok Hong to put his side ahead. The youngster scored his side’s second just a minute later with a splendid effort from distance. He completed a three-minute hat-trick in the 34th minute to give his side a comfortable lead and score the fastest hat-trick ever in European club competition.

With the Belgian side in complete control, Orban’s strike partner Hugo Cuypers scored his side’s fourth goal in the 37th minute to hand them an unassailable lead away from home.

After another impressive showing in front of goal, Orban was taken off in the 82nd minute, with former AC Milan forward Jens Petter Hauge taking his place.

The home side scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute, with former Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj adding his name to the scoresheet as his side lost 5-2 on aggregate.

Gift Orban has now notched 12 goals in only nine games in a Gent shirt, including five in four in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The 20-year-old saw his hat-trick eclipse that of Mohamed Salah, who previously held the record for the fastest hat-trick in European competition (6 minutes).