Folks who watched today’s VfB Stuttgart vs. Viking FK Champions League match were treated to a rare sight: a first half hat-trick. They’re very rare. In fact, only 13 have ever been recorded since 1992.
The player etching his name into the annals of illustrious company was Bosnian striker Ermedin Demirović. He scored in the 20th, 26th and 32nd minute against CL debutantes Viking FK. This also became the third fastest first half hat-trick recorded (you can see the two ahead of him below).
In honor of Demirović’s achievement, here are some other major hat-trick accomplishments from the Champions League.
First-Half Hat-Trick in a Knockout Round
On March 11, 2026, Federico Valverde put on a masterclass by scoring a first half hat-trick against Manchester City. For as rare as first half hat-tricks are, those occurring in knockout rounds are rarer still. This was the fifth.
Fastest First Half Hat-Trick from Kickoff
Robert Lewandowski struck three before the 24th minute back in 2022 against Red Bull Salzburg. Interestingly, this was also a knockout match hat-trick, meaning he pips Valverde on the timing and importance. Of course, two of the goals were penalties, which is kinda cheap.
A Perfect First-Half Hat-Trick
Norwegian goal-bot Erling Haaland netted a perfect hat-trick in the Champions League in a 2023 knockout round match against Red Bull Leipzig. He scored from the spot with his left, headed one in two minutes later and poked home the third on the right foot right before halftime. He would score two more in the second to bring his total to five, only one of three players to hit that mark.
Fastest Four First Half Goals
Luiz Adriano not only has the only known four-goal effort in a first half, it’s also the quickest between first and last goals at 16m30s. This was part of Shaktar Donesk’s 7-1 embarrassment of Bulgarian side BATE Borisov back in 2014 group stage.
Fastest Ever Hat-Trick (Between First and Third Goals)
It only took Mohamed Salah 6m12s to score three against Rangers back in the 2022 group stage. The feat occurred when Liverpool were already up 3-1, and all were scored in the second half.
Second Fastest Ever Hat-Trick (Between First and Third Goals)
Valverde’s teammate Kylian Mbappé put a world of hurt upon Olympiacos back in November of 2025, striking a hat-trick in just under seven minutes between the 22nd and 29th minutes. This put them up 3-1, and they would go on to win 4-3.
