Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen got his first Champions League goal of the season on Wednesday night. He got it against Lille, the club that made his name in Europe.
Galatasaray won 4-2 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. It was their first win and first points of this campaign. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group also named Osimhen Player of the Match.
Galatasaray scored inside two minutes through Yunus Akgun. Lille hit back quickly, and Soriba Diaoune levelled in the seventh minute. He then put the hosts 2-1 up just before the break, in the 39th minute.
Aleksey Batrakov headed the visitors level in the 44th. Then in the 52nd, a corner from Lucas Torreira led to the goal that put Galatasaray 3-2 up. Reports differ on the credit. Some count it as an own goal, while the club’s own match report gives it to Torreira.
Osimhen settled it in the 61st minute. Baris Alper Yilmaz fed him and he finished low and right-footed.
According to Galatasaray’s report, he went down in the box at one point, but the referee’s penalty decision was overturned after a VAR check. A separate goal involving him was ruled out for offside. He was substituted in the 84th minute.
The MOTM award was based on more than the goal. UEFA’s observers praised his constant threat to the Lille defence, his movement off the ball and the way he created space for others.
Osimhen did not celebrate his goal. He raised both hands and applauded Lille and their fans instead. That is no surprise, as he scored 18 goals for the club in the 2019/20 season before a move to Napoli worth about €70 million.
Afterwards, he stayed gracious.
“They even took the lead,” he said, admitting Lille made it hard. He also wished them luck for the rest of the season.
The goal also came at a useful time. Osimhen had faced scrutiny after Galatasaray’s heavy 4-1 loss to Barcelona and a narrow 1-0 win over Gençlerbirliği.
“They don’t really know me, and nothing they say affects me,” he said.
He added that he comes from a place where he is not afraid of difficulties.
Galatasaray’s league form is good. They lead the Super Lig with 19 points from eight games. However, in Europe they are still only 23rd in the 36-team table and outside the playoff places.
Next comes the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce. After that, they host Stuttgart in the Champions League. Lille, meanwhile, remain without a point.
