Victor Osimhen’s goal against Lille helped Galatasaray secure a crucial 4-2 away victory in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening, October 21. The Super Eagles striker scored against his former club in the 61st minute but refused to celebrate, adding an emotional moment to an important European result.
With the Turkish champions already leading 3-2, Osimhen found the net to extend their advantage and put the contest beyond Lille’s reach. His goal also marked his first in the Champions League this season.
Osimhen combined neatly with Barış Alper Yılmaz before firing past Lille goalkeeper Berke Özer to make it 4-2. Despite the importance of the strike, the Nigerian forward kept his celebrations in check out of respect for his former club.
The 26-year-old was substituted in the 84th minute, making way for Deniz Gül, after another influential display for the Turkish champions.
The victory represented a welcome boost for Galatasaray, who were seeking their first Champions League win of the campaign after losing their opening two fixtures against Sporting CP and Barcelona.
Osimhen’s overall season statistics also underline his importance to the team. His reported tally before this match stood at seven goals and three assists, although his updated figures across all competitions should be confirmed before publication.
The encounter at the Decathlon Arena got off to a lively start, with both sides finding the net early in an entertaining first half.
Yunus Akgün opened the scoring for Galatasaray in the second minute after Barış Alper Yılmaz delivered a cross from the left. Lille defender Alexsandro failed to clear the ball cleanly, allowing Akgün to seize the opportunity and beat Özer.
Lille responded five minutes later through Soriba Diaoune. The forward latched onto a through ball from Alexsandro, rounded goalkeeper Çakır and calmly finished to restore parity.
The hosts moved ahead in the 39th minute when Diaoune completed his brace. After Çakır saved Bakwa’s effort, Hákon Haraldsson played the rebound into Diaoune’s path, and the forward curled a fine finish into the top-right corner.
Galatasaray fought back before the break, with Aleksey Batrakov heading home Roland Sallai’s cross in the 44th minute to make it 2-2.
The visitors regained the lead seven minutes after the restart when a corner from Gabriel Sara resulted in a goal credited in some reports as a Lucas Torreira own goal. The official match record should be checked to confirm the final attribution.
Osimhen then delivered the decisive moment in the 61st minute. After combining with Yılmaz, the Nigerian striker finished past Özer to establish a two-goal cushion and complete Galatasaray’s 4-2 victory.
Earlier, the visitors had been awarded a penalty after Osimhen went down following a challenge by Özer. However, referee Rade Obrenović overturned the decision after consulting the pitchside monitor, with the VAR review determining that the goalkeeper had played the ball first.
Osimhen’s goal ultimately helped Galatasaray claim their first Champions League victory of the season, while his respectful response to scoring against Lille provided one of the evening’s most notable talking points.
