The Cote d’Ivoire international wrote his name in the competition’s history books having found the net against the Turkish elite division outfit

Sebastien Haller has become the first player in Champions League history to score five goals in his first two appearances in the competition.

The Cote d’Ivoire international achieved this feat following his goal in Ajax’s 2-0 triumph over Besiktas on Tuesday evening.

Prior to the Ivorian’s historic feat against the Turkish Super Lig outfit, the African star had initially become just the second player after Netherlands great Marco Van Basten to score four goals in his maiden game in the tournament in the 5-1 decimation of Sporting CP.

Besiktas travelled to the Johan Cruyff Arena with the hopes of returning to winning ways having made a false start against Borussia Dortmund on matchday one.

Fuelled by that desire, they had the first chance of the fixture but Michy Batshuayi struck the woodwork after 10 minutes.

The Black Eagles showed potential, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 17th minute through Steven Berghuis.

Berghuis, 29, slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu after benefitting from a clever pass from Dusan Tadic. Afterwards, the Sons of Gods continued to dominate ball possession but could not convert begging opportunities.

Two minutes before the half time break, Haller doubled the lead by converting Berghuis’ cross with his thigh. With that, the African star became the fifth player to score in his first two Champions League appearances for Ajax – equalling the feat attained by Jari Litmanen (1994), Rafael van der Vaart (2002), Quincy Promes (2019) and Berghuis (2021).

Erik ten Hag’s men could have gone three goals up in the 51st minute but Haller’s header was saved by a well-positioned Destanoglu.

Besiktas thought they had levelled matters after the hour mark, notwithstanding, Kenan Karaman’s effort was chalked off for offside.

With no goals scored in the remaining minutes, Sergen Yalcın’s team returned to Istanbul with heads bowed low.

Speaking after the game, manager Ten Hag is delighted with the result and is now looking forward to the next two fixtures against German outfit Dortmund on October 19.

"A great challenge now awaits,” he told the media. “We will now play twice against Dortmund.

“I think they are the strongest opponent in the pool. If we continue to maintain this progression, we can probably take a result in both games."

Source: Goal