Victor Osimhen scores in extra time to power Galatasaray into UEFA Champions League Round of 16

Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen was on target for Galatasaray on Wednesday night, helping the team to advance into the Uefa Champions League Round of 16.

Osimhen was named in the starting line-up for the Turkish giants in the decisive second leg of their playoff tie at the Allianz Stadium. The encounter produced high drama as Juventus mounted a fierce comeback to wipe out Galatasaray’s first-leg advantage.

The hosts struck first in the 37th minute when Manuel Locatelli calmly converted from the penalty spot. Juventus doubled their lead in the 70th minute after Pierre Kalulu teed up Federico Gatti for a simple close-range finish.

The pressure intensified in the 82nd minute when a free kick was powerfully headed towards goal by Teun Koopmeiners, with Weston McKennie applying the final touch from close range to make it 3-0 on the night.

That result meant the tie was level at 5-5 on aggregate at the end of regulation time, forcing the contest into extra time with qualification hanging in the balance.

Galatasaray, however, found the response they needed. In the 106th minute, Baris Alper Yilmaz picked out Osimhen with a precise pass inside the box, and the Nigerian forward showed remarkable composure to slot the ball home and swing the tie back in his side’s favour. The goal proved decisive in restoring Galatasaray’s aggregate advantage.

Juventus pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but it was Galatasaray who struck again late on. In the 119th minute, Baris Alper Yilmaz capped off a fine performance by getting on the scoresheet himself, sealing a memorable 7-5 aggregate triumph.

Osimhen’s extra-time strike ultimately powered Galatasaray into the Champions League Round of 16, capping off a thrilling European night in Turin.