Istanbul, Turkey — Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a sensational performance for Galatasaray, scoring twice, but it was not enough to secure victory as they were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw against Kasimpasa in the Turkish Süper Lig on Sunday.
The result dealt a blow to Galatasaray’s title ambitions, leaving them to rue dropped points in an electrifying contest. Osimhen, who has been in blistering form this season, opened the scoring in the 11th minute.
The Nigerian forward converted confidently from the penalty spot after Galatasaray were awarded a spot-kick for a clumsy challenge in the box. The goal marked Osimhen’s 15th strike of the season, showcasing his poise and precision.
Galatasaray maintained their slender lead until halftime, with their defense standing firm against a determined Kasimpasa side.
However, the hosts returned to the pitch with renewed vigor and soon found an equalizer. In the 52nd minute, Tunisian defender Mortadha Ben Ouanes capitalized on a defensive lapse to bring Kasimpasa back into the game, igniting the home crowd.
Buoyed by the equalizer, Kasimpasa continued to press forward and were rewarded just nine minutes later.
Croatian winger Josip Brekalo unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, beating Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to put the hosts 2-1 ahead. The turnaround stunned the visitors, who suddenly found themselves chasing the game.
Galatasaray’s response was swift and determined. Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez rose high to head home a corner in the 69th minute, restoring parity at 2-2. The momentum had swung once more, and just two minutes later, Osimhen struck again.
Latching onto a precise cross from Mauro Icardi, he fired a clinical finish past Kasimpasa’s goalkeeper to restore Galatasaray’s lead at 3-2.
The Nigerian’s second goal of the evening took his season’s tally to 16, underlining his status as one of the league’s most lethal finishers. His efforts appeared to have secured a vital victory for Galatasaray, but late drama was yet to unfold.
In the dying minutes of the match, Kasimpasa were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the Galatasaray box. Bosnian midfielder Haris Hajradinovic stepped up and converted with ice-cold composure, securing a 3-3 draw for the hosts.
The result was met with a chorus of cheers from the home supporters, while Galatasaray players were left to reflect on missed opportunities.
Speaking after the match, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk expressed his disappointment. “We should have managed the game better after going ahead twice.
It’s frustrating to drop points like this,” he said. Meanwhile, Osimhen’s standout performance drew praise from both sets of fans, his goals providing a silver lining for the visitors.
The draw leaves Galatasaray’s title hopes hanging in the balance as they slip further behind league leaders Fenerbahçe. With the race for the Süper Lig crown intensifying, Galatasaray will need to regain their focus quickly.
For Osimhen, however, the evening was another demonstration of his goal-scoring prowess, even if it wasn’t enough to secure all three points.
