A Victor Osimhen hat-trick helped Napoli to come from behind to beat Sassuolo 6-1 at the Mapei Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Napoli star man now has five goals in three games since returning to the club from the Africa Cup of Nations where he represented the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The 25-year-old performance this evening echoed the brilliance he showcased last season for Napoli in their march towards winning the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.
HAT-TRICK ⚽⚽⚽
VICTOR OSIMHEN IS HIM! 🙇🏽 pic.twitter.com/3dEBiArMAZ
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) February 28, 2024
Sassuolo vs Napoli: How it happened
After a slow start in the game from the Partenopei, it was Sassuolo who took the lead as Uros Racic produced a first-time strike from just outside the box to send his effort into the right corner in the 17th minute.
The visitors regrouped and twelve minutes later, Amir Rrahmani received a brilliant pass inside the box from Frank Anguissa and he drilled a low shot into the bottom left corner to draw level.
With the Partenopei back in the game, Victor Osimhen ensured that Francesco Calzona's side led for the first time in the game two minutes later as he made good use of a sumptuous pass from Matteo Politano to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He netted to extend his scoring streak to three straight games since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
And nine minutes to the end of the first-half, the Nigerian again was set up by Politano inside the box and he lobbed his effort over Andrea Consigli who was off his line in goal for Sassuolo to bag his second for the evening.
Osimhen completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia delivered a precise pass inside the box with the Nigerian finishing into the bottom right corner.
In the 51st minute, Osimhen turned provider as he set up his teammate Kvaratskhelia who scored from outside the box to give Napoli a 5-1 lead!
The Georgian got his second of the evening as Napoli's rout continued in the 75th minute to take the tally to 6-1.
Osimhen was then subbed off a minute later with three points all but secured for coach Calzona who saw his side see out the game to register his first win for Napoli since taking over from Walter Mazzarri.
⏹️ Full time: #SassuoloNapoli 1-6 💪
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/XalzKdty94
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) February 28, 2024
Victor Osimhen's rank on Serie A scoring charts
With the Nigerian back in scoring form for the Partenopei in Serie A, his latest three-goal haul has taken him to 11 league goals this season.
However, Osimhen is 11 goals behind Lautaro Martinez who leads the scoring charts with 22 goals.
While out-scoring the Argentine off the leaderboard won't be easy, the reigning African Footballer of the Year will fight to close down the large margin if he keeps his scoring form.
What's next for Victor Osimhen and Napoli
Napoli will be back in action on Saturday as they host Juventus at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples in both teams' first Serie A game in March.
Buoyed by their recent big win over Sassuolo, Calzona and his troops will be battle ready and fully motivated to pick their first league win at home under the new gaffer.
And for Osimhen, finding the net against Cagliari and Sassuolo in back-to-back Serie A games, will be a great boost in his confidence as the season's second half picks up for Napoli.
This article was most recently revised and updated 7 months ago
