Substitutes to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick have etched their names into the competition’s history by delivering extraordinary performances off the bench, turning the tide in games by flexing their goal-scoring prowess.

Scoring a hat-trick in Europe’s premier competition, the UEFA Champions League, is a remarkable achievement, and doing so as a substitute makes it even special.

Since the start of the competition in 1992, just six players have been fortunate enough to accomplish the feat, with the first scenario coming in 1998 as Uwe Rosler made history for himself in the colors of German outfit, Kaiserslautern.

In the early years of the competition’s existence in the 90s, just one substitute achieved the feat, while two more joined in the 2000s. Between 2019 and 2022, three more players also did, completing a list of six.

Who are the Substitutes to Score a UEFA Champions League Hat-trick?

Here are the six substitutes to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick in history:

1. Uwe Rosler (1998)

German striker Uwe Rosler became the first-ever substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick in December 1998, when he came off the bench for Kaiserslautern in a group meeting with HJK Helsinki.

He helped his team seal a 5-2 win, which ensured they finished top of their group, before eventually bowing out of the competition to fellow German team, Bayern Munich, in the quarter-finals.

Although Rosler did not have a Spectacular career, he is, and will be forever remembered for his achievement as the first player substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick in history.

2. Walter Pandiani (2001)

In March 2001, Walter Pandiani came off the bench to score a hat-trick for Deportivo La Coruña against Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the first substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick in the 21st century.

With the Spanish team trailing 3-0 at home to the French side, Pandiani was introduced at the interval, scoring three goals between fellow substitutes, including Diego Tristan’s goal as they sealed a 4-3 comeback win.

Incredibly, all of Pandini’s goals on the night were from headers, making his achievement even more special.

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3. Joseba Llorente (2008)

In October 2008, Joseba Llorente entered as a substitute for Villarreal and netted a hat-trick against Aalborg BK in a group meeting as the Yellow Submarines secured a stunning 6-3 win over their opponent.

After the opening half ended two all, Llorente was introduced at half-time and scored the next two goals before teammate Robert Pires made it 5-3 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Llorente then completed his hat-trick three minutes later to seal an impressive win, where he became only the third substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick, in what was the best highlight of his two-season stint in Villarreal.

4. Kylian Mbappé (2019)

On October 22, 2019, Kylian Mbappé became the first substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick for a French club when he was introduced in the second half for Paris Saint-Germain against Club Brugge.

The Frenchman scored three goals following his introduction seven minutes after the restart, contributing to PSG's 5-0 triumph in the Jan Breydel Stadium, and making it away with the match ball after becoming the first substitute to score a UEFA Champions League for an away team in history.

His performance for PSG on the night, where he also added an assist for Mauro Icardi’s second, made the French club the first team to concede and score a hat-trick through a substitute in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

5. Marcus Rashford (2020)

Marcus Rashford joined the list as the fifth name in October 2020, when he became the first substitute to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick for an English team, as well as being the first Englishman to achieve the feat.

The Mancunian came on as a substitute for Manchester United, replacing Mason Greenwood three minutes after the hour mark against RB Leipzig in a group meeting on the night in Old Trafford.

He scored twice in quick succession, less than eleven minutes after coming on, and completed his hat-trick in added time to seal a commanding win.

With all three goals coming in just 16 minutes, Rashford set a record for the fastest hat-trick by a substitute in Champions League history at the time.

6. Mohamed Salah (2022)

Two years after Rashford, Mohamed Salah entered a match as a substitute for another English team, this time, Liverpool, against Scottish giants, Rangers, and scored a hat-trick in just six minutes and twelve seconds, setting a new record for the fastest in Champions League history.

Salah was subbed 22 minutes from time and started scoring eight minutes later. He completed his hat-trick in the 81s minute, all goals assisted by Diogo Jota, who also became the first substitute to assist three UEFA Champions League goals, all to the same player.

Salah’s goals were just added flex for The Reds, who were already leading 3-1 before his introduction as they thrashed their host in a 7-1 scoreline. He remains the latest name on the list, making him the only African to achieve the feat.