Osimhen’s Double Fires Galatasaray to Second Straight Champions League Win
Victor Osimhen continued his incredible form in Europe, scoring twice as Turkish champions Galatasaray defeated Bodø/Glimt 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The Nigerian striker’s heroics helped his team secure back-to-back UCL victories, marking a major turnaround after a poor European run in previous seasons.
The game got off to a dream start for Galatasaray at a packed RamsPark in Istanbul when Mario Lemina set up Osimhen for a neat finish just three minutes into the match. The crowd erupted as Osimhen tormented the Norwegian side’s defense throughout the first half, forcing multiple saves from goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.
Bodø/Glimt tried to fight back but struggled against Galatasaray’s intensity. Their brief spells of possession were quickly broken up, and Osimhen kept finding spaces to threaten. In the 33rd minute, the Super Eagles forward capitalized on a poor backpass from Fredrik André Bjørkan, rounded Haikin, and calmly slotted home his second goal of the night.
Before halftime, Bodø/Glimt nearly pulled one back as Jens Petter Hauge fired wide and Sondre Brunstad Fet struck the post. However, Galatasaray maintained control after the break, with Osimhen once again at the heart of their attack.
In the second half, Osimhen pressed high to win the ball and set up Yunus Akgün, who scored on the second attempt to make it 3-0. Although Andreas Helmersen later headed in Bjørkan’s cross to make it 3-1, the result was never in doubt. The win marked Galatasaray’s 21st victory in their last 23 games across all competitions and ended Bodø/Glimt’s five-game unbeaten European run.
Osimhen’s brace also broke a long-standing club record. The 26-year-old became the first Galatasaray player to score in seven consecutive European matches, surpassing Burak Yilmaz’s 2012 record. His consistency in front of goal has made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe this season.
Last season, the former Napoli star netted 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 games for Galatasaray before signing a permanent four-year contract in August. He had previously scored against Tottenham Hotspur, AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kiev, Ajax, and Liverpool in European competitions, maintaining a remarkable streak.
With two wins and one loss in their opening three Champions League games, manager Okan Buruk’s side now sits in a stronger position in the group standings, with Osimhen leading the charge in their quest for European glory.
