Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen, who now plays for Galatasaray, was at the heart of a stunning Champions League playoff performance as the Turkish giants dismantled Juventus 5-2 in a thrilling first-leg encounter on Tuesday night.
Although Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara gave Galatasaray an early lead in the 15th minute with a thunderous strike, the game quickly turned into a fierce contest.
Juventus responded almost immediately through Teun Koopmeiners, who tapped in a rebound a minute later, before doubling his tally in the 32nd minute to put the Italians 2-1 ahead before halftime.
With tensions rising — even Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti was booked for dissent — Galatasaray returned from the break with renewed energy.
Noa Lang restored parity shortly after halftime, finishing from close range, before Davinson Sanchez powered in a precise Sara set-piece on the hour mark to swing momentum back in favour of the hosts.
The match tilted decisively in Galatasaray’s favour in the 67th minute when Juventus substitute Juan Cabal received his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
From that moment, Osimhen took centre stage.
In the 75th minute, the Super Eagles forward produced a moment of brilliance, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Lang, who calmly slotted home to make it 4-2. It was a sublime assist that underlined Osimhen’s vision and unselfish play.
Four minutes from time, Osimhen once again unlocked the Juventus defence, setting up substitute Sacha Boey with a clever pass. Boey made no mistake, smashing home Galatasaray’s fifth goal to seal a resounding victory.
Osimhen’s two assists capped an influential display, as his movement, strength, and creativity constantly troubled the Juventus backline throughout the night.
The emphatic 5-2 triumph hands Galatasaray a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg in Turin on February 25, with Osimhen firmly emerging as the driving force behind the Turkish side’s European charge.