Super Eagles talisman sets up decisive goals in stunning comeback to give Turkish giants huge advantage in Champions League tie
Victor Osimhen was the creative heartbeat for Galatasaray SK on Tuesday night as the Nigerian international provided two sensational assists in the Turkish giants’ stunning 5-2 victory over Juventus in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie at Rams Park.
The match lived up to its billing as a seven-goal European classic and a major talking point in the Champions League playoff first leg fixtures this season. After falling behind 2-1 at halftime, Galatasaray turned the tide in emphatic fashion in the second half with Osimhen’s creative influence proving decisive.
Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th minute, only for Italian side Juventus to respond through midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who struck twice to give the visitors a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime. Noa Lang equalised shortly after the restart before defender Davinson Sánchez headed home to put Galatasaray ahead. A turning point arrived in the 67th minute when Juventus were reduced to 10 men following Juan Cabal’s dismissal, opening the door for Galatasaray to take full control.
Osimhen’s Brilliance on Display
- With Juventus reeling, Osimhen stepped up in spectacular fashion:
In the 75th minute, he played a perfectly weighted pass to Noa Lang, who calmly slotted home to make it 4-2.
- Four minutes from time, the Nigerian forward carved open the defence again with a clever assist to Sacha Boey, sealing Galatasaray’s emphatic 5-2 win.
Though he didn’t score himself, Osimhen’s vision and unselfish playmaking were fundamental in turning the tie in Galatasaray’s favour. His performance was a blend of strength, creativity, and tactical intelligence — showcasing why he continues to be one of Europe’s most influential attackers.
The commanding three-goal margin puts Galatasaray in a strong position heading into the second leg in Turin next week. Juventus face a daunting task if they hope to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League ambitions alive this season.
For Osimhen, the display adds another highlight to what has been a scintillating campaign in Europe, reinforcing his reputation not just as a goalscorer but a complete attacking force capable of producing match-winning contributions on the biggest stage.