Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen returned to Galatasaray’s starting lineup for the first time in a month ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old last started a game for club and country on the 6th of September, playing just 35 minutes of Nigeria’s 1-0 win against Rwanda before coming off after injuring his ankle.
The 2023 CAF Player of the Year returned to action for Galatasaray in their 1-0 win over Alanyaspor over the weekend, playing just five minutes.
While he’s still in a bit of pain, he gave his best 72 minutes tonight as Okan Buruk’s side sealed their first Champions League win of the 2025/2026 campaign.
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Galatasaray started the game on the front foot, with Osimhen forcing a quick save from Liverpool’s Alisson Becker in the opening minutes of the game.
He came close again a few minutes later, attempting an audacious chip from over 40 yards out, but the Brazilian goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Osimhen’s breakthrough came in the 16th minute, when Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboslai was penalised for an outstretched arm, batting the face of Galatasaray’s Baris Yilmaz.
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The referee, Clement Turpin, immediately pointed to the spot. Osimhen converted the spot kick from twelve yards, placing the penalty centrally and sending Alisson the wrong way to break the deadlock at RAMS Park.
The second half saw Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, throw in more attackers, bringing in Mohammed Salah, Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley, although Alisson Becker was earlier substituted for Giorgi Mamardashvili after he picked up an injury.
Despite the changes, Liverpool struggled to maintain composure in front of goal, and Galatasaray grew sturdy in defence.
Osimhen’s attempt to hold on to the ball saw him stretch his ankle again, and he went down, signalling to Okan Buruk that he wanted to come off, and he was replaced by Mauro Icardi.
Nigeria’s Eric Chelle will be hoping the substitution was just a precautionary measure, as he needs his best finisher on the pitch when the Super Eagles resume the final round of FIFA World Cup qualification duty.
Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, mentioned that Galatasaray could have scored if he had been less greedy, but fine margins made all the difference.
After playing seven games unbeaten, Liverpool have now lost two consecutive games and need to pick themselves up.
