Nigeria and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. Photo by IMAGO
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen continued his superb form on Sunday, inspiring Galatasaray to a 3–1 comeback victory over Göztepe in the Turkish Super Lig, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian forward, who also scored in midweek against Bodo/Glimt, once again proved decisive as the champions fought back from an early setback in Istanbul.
Göztepe silenced the home fans after just six minutes when Efkan Bekiroglu struck a fine opener, but their lead was short-lived.
Osimhen pounced on a loose back pass midway through the first half, rounded the goalkeeper and coolly finished to level the score.
It was his 43rd league goal for Galatasaray, a strike that moved him level with head coach Okan Buruk in the club’s all-time scoring chart and 18th overall.
Only five foreign players have ever scored more league goals for Galatasaray than Osimhen, who is now just two shy of Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder.
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Galatasaray stay top, Victor Osimhen eyes more records
The turning point came just before half-time when Göztepe defender Malcom Bokele Mputu received a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Galatasaray made their advantage count after the interval, with Gabriel Sara putting them ahead in the 63rd minute before Mauro Icardi sealed the win four minutes later.
The result ensured Galatasaray’s third straight victory in all competitions and kept them five points clear of second-placed Trabzonspor, while Göztepe slipped to fifth on 16 points.
For Osimhen, the goal is his ninth of the season across all competitions, including three in the Super Lig and three more in the Champions League, a blistering run of form that will worry defenders both in Turkey and abroad.
That form is particularly good news for Nigeria ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon in Morocco.
Having missed direct qualification, the Super Eagles must now navigate a two-stage route, first overcoming Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon, then facing either Cameroon or DR Congo for a place in the intercontinental playoffs.
If Osimhen maintains his current level, Nigeria’s chances will rise sharply. The 26-year-old’s sharpness, composure, and instinctive finishing could well be the difference between heartbreak and a path to the 2026 World Cup.