Galatasaray secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, inflicting their first Europa League defeat of the season and moving to the top of Group D.
The Turkish champions now have 10 points from four matches, nearly securing qualification for the knockout stage, while Spurs remain in fifth after losing their perfect record.
The match at the Türk Telekom Stadium in Istanbul started with a bang as Yunus Akgun stunned the visitors in the sixth minute, launching a spectacular long-range volley that flew past Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster and into the top corner. Akgun’s early goal set the tone for an action-packed first half.
Tottenham responded quickly, equalizing just 12 minutes later. Will Lankshear, making only his second appearance for the senior team, was in the right place to tap in a pass from Brennan Johnson across the goal line. The 18-year-old’s composure in front of goal offered Spurs a lifeline and the belief that they could bounce back.
However, Galatasaray regained control before the break, with Victor Osimhen putting his stamp on the game. The Nigerian striker gave the hosts the lead again in the 33rd minute, firing home a clinical finish from inside the box.
Just eight minutes later, Osimhen was at it again, volleying a pinpoint cross from Dries Mertens into the back of the net to make it 3-1. The double was a display of the striker’s class, as he continues to impress since his loan move from Napoli.
Osimhen’s brace took his tally to six goals in just eight appearances for Galatasaray, with his clinical finishing proving a vital asset for the Turkish side.
Despite dominating much of the first half, Galatasaray missed several chances to put the game out of reach. Tottenham, meanwhile, struggled to find a way back into the match, and their hopes of a comeback were dashed further when Lankshear was shown a second yellow card for a foul in the 57th minute, reducing Spurs to 10 men.
Tottenham did manage to pull one back in the 69th minute when Dominic Solanke, brought on as a substitute by manager Ange Postecoglou, scored with a header to make it 3-2. However, the hosts saw out the remaining time with relative comfort, holding on for a crucial three points.
The result leaves Galatasaray firmly in control of the group, with a perfect chance to advance to the next stage. Tottenham, on the other hand, will have to regroup and recover from this setback as they sit in fifth, hoping for a strong finish in the remaining group fixtures.
In the other Group D match, Eintracht Frankfurt moved into second place, level on points with Galatasaray, thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Omar Marmoush. His 13th goal of the season helped Frankfurt to a 1-0 win against Slavia Prague, as Marmoush’s stunning effort found the top corner after the break.
As the group stages progress, both Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt will be confident of advancing, while Tottenham will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find consistency in their next matches.
