At a roaring RamsPark in Istanbul, Tremendous Eagles striker Victor Osimhen reaffirmed his standing as one in every of Europe’s most deadly forwards, scoring twice to encourage Galatasaray to a commanding 3–1 victory over Bodø/Glimt within the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.
The consequence not solely gave the Turkish giants back-to-back European wins, their first such streak in practically a decade, but additionally etched Osimhen’s title in membership historical past books, as he turned the only holder of the file for targets in probably the most consecutive European video games for Galatasaray.
The stage and the stakes
Coming into this fixture, Galatasaray had gained simply one in every of their earlier 18 main-draw European matches, and there was quiet stress within the air regardless of the standard fireworks at RamsPark.
For Okan Buruk’s males, this wasn’t nearly factors; it was about restoring perception after their opening-day thrashing by Eintracht Frankfurt. For Osimhen, it was about persevering with a goal-scoring run that has made him a cult determine among the many Galatasaray devoted since arriving completely from Napoli in August.
And as at all times, the Nigerian wanted little time to ship.
Osimhen strikes early, units the tone
The house crowd had barely settled when Mario Lemina cut up the Bodø/Glimt defence with a intelligent by way of ball. Osimhen latched onto it, gliding previous his marker earlier than rifling dwelling a low end to make it 1–0 inside three minutes.
The Nigerian striker’s depth and relentless urgent instantly unsettled the guests. He obtained on the top of Leroy Sané’s inviting crosses twice, however goalkeeper Nikita Haikin denied him each occasions.
Bodø/Glimt grew into the sport however hardly ever troubled Uğurcan Çakır within the Galatasaray aim, whereas Osimhen continued to threaten on the break.
He nearly doubled his tally when defender Odin Bjørtuft didn’t clear a cross from Ismail Jakobs, however Haikin once more got here to the rescue.
The record-breaking second
Within the thirty third minute, nonetheless, there was no saving them.
A unfastened backpass from Fredrik André Bjørkan fell invitingly to Osimhen, who confirmed trademark composure, rounding Haikin and slotting into an empty web to make it 2–0.
The brace not solely gave Galatasaray respiratory room but additionally marked a historic second:
Osimhen surpassed Burak Yılmaz’s membership scoring file in six consecutive European video games, a feat that had stood since 2012.
It was poetic; the previous Turkish hero’s file was overtaken by a Tremendous Eagle whose arrival has reignited Galatasaray’s European hearth.
Galatasaray in command, Bodø/Glimt overrun
To their credit score, Bodø/Glimt responded earlier than halftime, with Jens Petter Hauge and Sondre Brunstad Fet each going shut, the latter rattling the publish.
After the break, they continued to press, with Bjørkan and Sondre Aukland testing the house defence. However Galatasaray’s counterattacks remained devastating.
When Haitam Aleesami was caught in possession by Osimhen close to the sting of the field, the striker unselfishly squared for Yunus Akgün, who slotted dwelling on the second try to make it 3–0.
The guests finally grabbed a comfort within the 76th minute, as Andreas Helmersen nodded in a Bjørkan cross, nevertheless it was too little, too late.
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Galatasaray’s dominance was full; their twenty first win in 23 video games throughout all competitions, a run that has restored swagger and perception in Istanbul.
Legacy and continuity
For Osimhen, this was greater than one other brace. It was a press release of consistency and starvation.
Since becoming a member of Galatasaray completely, he has carried his type from Serie A to European competitors with exceptional ease.
He had already scored towards Tottenham, AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, Ajax, and Liverpool in his European journey, and Wednesday’s efficiency solely prolonged that legacy.
The 26-year-old Tremendous Eagles striker, who scored 37 targets and 7 assists in 41 video games final season, now stands alone as Galatasaray’s most constant European marksman.
Trying forward
The victory lifted Galatasaray to 6 factors from three video games, putting them firmly in rivalry for the knockout rounds. In the meantime, Bodø/Glimt’s unbeaten European run was snapped, leaving them stranded on two factors.
From Napoli’s Curva B to Galatasaray’s South Stand, Victor Osimhen has remained a continuing, a striker who thrives on noise, stress, and large nights.
His double towards Bodø/Glimt wasn’t simply one other Champions League efficiency; it was a reminder of his rise from Lagos streets to European superstardom, a journey now gilded in yellow and pink.
As RamsPark roared underneath the floodlights, one reality turned simple: Osimhen isn’t simply main Galatasaray’s revival; he’s defining it.
