Super Eagles Star Alhassan Yusuf Outshines Messi With Stunning Hat-Trick

Super Eagles Star Alhassan Yusuf Outshines Messi With Stunning Hat-Trick Nigeria international Alhassan Yusuf produced the performance of the night in Major League Soccer, scoring a sensational hat-trick to lead New England Revolution to a 3-0 victory over D.C. United. The midfielder stole the headlines on a night when Lionel Messi was also in action for Inter Miami. While Messi found the net in his team’s match against Philadelphia Union, Yusuf’s three goal display earned him the spotlight and helped New England return to winning ways. Yusuf opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, rising to meet a delivery from Jack Harrison after Peyton Miller’s header had redirected the ball into his path. The Nigerian midfielder reacted quickly to power his header into the net. He doubled New England’s advantage just before half-time, converting a close-range volley after another dangerous delivery from the left. The 26-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, redirecting another Harrison cross beyond the D.C. United goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

The remarkable performance came from a player more accustomed to controlling games from midfield than operating as a conventional goalscorer. His attacking instincts, however, proved decisive as New England secured all three points. The victory lifted the Revolution to 33 points from 20 matches, with the club moving into fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference and ending a three-match winless run. Yusuf’s hat-trick also placed him in the New England Revolution record books. He became only the eighth player in the club’s history to score three goals in a regular-season MLS match and the first to achieve the feat since Kei Kamara in September 2017. The Nigerian has now scored five goals and provided two assists during the 2026 campaign, already establishing a new career-best scoring tally for a single season. His latest heroics also continue an impressive year for the Super Eagles star. Yusuf previously scored twice for Nigeria in the Unity Cup final against Jamaica in May, helping the Super Eagles secure a 3-0 victory. Yusuf’s extraordinary night has further underlined his growing importance and attacking potential, with the Super Eagles midfielder proving that he can make a decisive impact in front of goal as well as in the middle of the park.