Victor Osimhen once again showed why he is one of the most talked-about strikers in Europe. The Nigerian forward delivered a brilliant performance as Galatasaray defeated Bodo/Glimt 3–1 in the UEFA Champions League, scoring twice and setting a new record that caught the attention of fans and media outlets around the world.
Osimhen wasted no time making his mark, he scored with his first touch of the game in the third minute and added another goal in the 33rd, calmly rounding the goalkeeper after capitalizing on a defensive error.
His energy didn’t stop there. His pressing and quick reactions led to Galatasaray’s third goal, finished by Turkish winger Yunus Akgun.
This victory didn’t just secure three points for Galatasaray; it also made history. Osimhen became the first player in the club’s history to score in seven consecutive European matches, a milestone that underlined his consistency and dominance on the biggest stage.
He also helped Galatasaray record back-to-back Champions League wins for the first time in 13 years.
Global Praise for Osimhen’s Performance
UEFA named Osimhen the official Man of the Match, describing his display as one full of “relentless pressure and decisive finishing.” His ratings across international platforms reflected just how impressive he was.
- BBC Sport gave him a remarkable 9.13, the highest on the pitch by a wide margin.
- FotMob rated him 9.1, while Sofascore went even higher with 9.8.
- Squawka broke down his numbers, showing that he had seven shots on target and an expected goals (xG) value of 2.91, suggesting he could have easily scored more.
These ratings placed him as the standout performer across Europe that night, with many analysts calling it one of his best Champions League performances to date.
Turkish Media and Pundits Celebrate Their Star
In Turkey, the reaction was overwhelming. Local media and pundits were full of praise for the striker who joined Galatasaray for a club-record €75 million fee. Many said this was the kind of performance that justified every euro spent.
Turkish football analyst Haluk Yurekli captured the mood perfectly:
“Osimhen himself showed why they paid €75 million for him! When he leaves, the competition starts to arrive. He’s a very important player for both sides.”
Fans on Turkish social media also hailed him as “a complete striker” and “Galatasaray’s new king,” with clips of his goals trending across X (formerly Twitter).
The praise didn’t stop in Turkey. Former Galatasaray teammate Mario Lemina sent a heartfelt message after the game, calling Osimhen “the best striker I’ve ever played with.”
The two will soon face off when Nigeria meets Gabon in the World Cup playoffs, but for now, Lemina’s message summed up the respect Osimhen has earned from players around the world.
What’s Next for Osimhen
After back-to-back Champions League heroics, Galatasaray will shift focus to the Turkish Super League, with upcoming fixtures against Goztepe and Trabzonspor.
Their next European test will come in November against Ajax, who are yet to earn a point in their group after a heavy loss to Chelsea.