Alphadjo Cisse became the youngest Italian player to score a hat-trick in a European competition as AC Milan beat Salzburg 4-0 on matchday two of the Europa League.
The 19-year-old, aged 19 years and 358 days, produced a decisive performance to help the Rossoneri recover from their defeat by Benfica at San Siro.
According to TNT Sports’ data, Cisse’s treble saw him surpass the previous record set by Giancarlo Danova in September 1959. Danova was 20 years and 309 days old when he scored three goals in a European tournament.
Cisse also became the first AC Milan player to score a hat-trick in Europe since Filippo Inzaghi found the net three times against Deportivo La Coruna in September 2002.
The forward, who has Guinean origins, opened the scoring early in the match by heading the ball into the net. He added a second from close range shortly before half-time before completing his hat-trick with a right-footed strike soon after the restart.
The result gives AC Milan a significant response after their disappointment against Benfica, while Cisse’s display further establishes his growing role within the team.
Cisse was bought back by AC Milan in February and then sent on loan to Catanzaro in Serie B. The Treviso-born player returned to the Milan squad permanently this summer.
He had already scored two goals in five Serie A appearances before his performance in Salzburg, and his latest contribution continues a rapid rise since joining the first-team group.
AC Milan’s next fixture will come in the seventh round of the Italian league, when they face Atalanta.