As Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue their collective assault on the record books for the men’s game, Ada Hegerberg is quietly racking up an impressive résumé of her own in the women’s game. She now tops the list of Women's Champions League top scorers — and she’s only 24.
The Norwegian striker scored twice in Olympique Lyon’s 4-0 win over Fortuna Hjørring in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 16 series on Wednesday. The two goals gave Hegerberg 51 career in the WCL, equaling the record held by Germany legend Anja Mittag.
History-making @AdaStolsmo: "I just received a message from @mittag31. That's great! She's a legend. It's a lot of a fun and a great motivation. You have to keep the balance between pleasure and work." https://t.co/4UZRBnluNu
— #UWCL (@UWCL) October 16, 2019
Remarkably, Hegerberg has scored 51 WCL goals in 49 appearances.
Hegerberg notched her first goal of the evening on a penalty kick in the 17th minute to open the scoring.
Este fue el Gol 50 de @AdaStolsmo en Champions League. #UWCL #TeamOL pic.twitter.com/dh9s3c7TbO
— Lyon Femenino (@OLfemenino) October 16, 2019
Nine minutes into the second half, she scored again, rising above the defense to head in the fourth and final goal of the night.
54' ¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE @AdaStolsmo!!!!
UNO MÁS Y NO JODEMOS MÁS!!0-4 | #UWCL
pic.twitter.com/gnf41u8Vwp— Lyon Femenino (@OLfemenino) October 16, 2019
Hegerberg’s record-tying night comes less than a month after she set the record for most Women’s Champions League goals with a single club at 45.
RECORD@AdaStolsmo's 2 goals today takes her to 45 for @OLfeminin in the #UWCL - the most for a single club pic.twitter.com/tSVmEeZNzy
— #UWCL (@UWCL) September 25, 2019
That above graphic is a bit outdated now. Also on Wednesday, Hegerberg’s Lyon teammate Eugénie Le Sommer scored twice, moving her into second-place on the single-club list and fifth all time among Women's Champions League top scorers, passing former teammate Camille Abily. It’s not unreasonable to think these two teammates could finish the season No. 1 and No. 2 in the all-time scoring chart, which just goes to show the team’s incredible dominance in Europe.
For those interested, the list of Women's Champions League top scorers currently stands as follows.
Women's Champions League Top Scorers
- 1. Ada Hegerberg (Norway) — 51
- 1. Anja Mittag (Germany) — 51
- 3. Conny Pohlers (Germany — 48
- 4. Marta (Brazil) — 46
- 5. Eugénie Le Sommer (France) — 44
- 6. Camille Abily (France) — 43
- 7. Lotta Schelin (Sweden) — 42
- 8. Nina Burger (Austria) — 40
- 9. Hanna Ljungberg (Sweden) — 39
- 10. Inka Grings (Germany) — 38
History made AGAIN@AdaStolsmo scores her 51st #UWCL goal - equalling @mittag31's competition record! pic.twitter.com/F9nZM51LVq
— #UWCL (@UWCL) October 16, 2019
But wait, there’s more!
Another record was broken in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday when Brazilian Formiga scored in the 18th minute of PSG’s 4-0 rout of Breidablik, breaking her own record for oldest WCL goal scorer. Formiga is 41 years and 227 days young.
On a history-making day in the #UWCL, Formiga breaks her own record as the oldest goalscorer: 41 years and 227 days https://t.co/zWunpR5hx1
— #UWCL (@UWCL) October 16, 2019
Unfortunately, the current format of the Women’s Champions League lacks tough competition in the opening rounds. Half of the first legs (with one still to play) finished with one side winning by four or more goals, leaving little doubt as to who will progress. There is one matchup worth watching, however: Manchester City vs. Atlético Madrid, who drew 1-1 in the first leg.