Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored twice to inspire Galatasaray to a 2-1 victory over Rizespor in their Super Lig clash at the Caykur Didi Stadium in Rize, Turkey, on Monday night.
After a goalless first half, the match came alive in the second, with Osimhen breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute. A precise pass from Przemyslaw Frankowski found the Super Eagles star in space, and he made no mistake with the finish.
Rizespor responded swiftly, with Gambian international Ali Sowe levelling the score in the 54th minute, setting the stage for a tense finale.
However, Osimhen delivered the decisive moment, firing home the winning goal in the 86th minute to restore Galatasaray’s lead and secure all three points.
Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera praised the team’s second-half performance, attributing the turnaround to tactical changes made at halftime.
“It took us a while to find ourselves in the first half, but with the directives our coach gave us, we won this big match,” Muslera said.
He also lauded Osimhen’s relentless spirit, revealing that after the fans called for him, he even considered wearing Osimhen’s trademark protective mask.
“He never gives up. We are all grateful to play with a player like him,” Muslera added.
Osimhen played the entire match and now boasts 12 goals in 18 league appearances for the Yellow and Reds this season.
With the victory, Galatasaray extended their lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig, now sitting on 63 points from 23 games, six points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, who have 57 points from the same number of matches.
