Victor Osimhen produced one of the moments of the season in the Turkish Super Lig as his stoppage-time bicycle kick handed Galatasaray a dramatic 3–2 victory over Samsunspor at a charged RAMS Park on Friday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian striker, recently back from a hamstring injury, scored twice in the encounter, his second arriving in the 93rd minute with a spectacular overhead finish that stunned the visitors and sent the home crowd into frenzy.
Osimhen had earlier doubled Galatasaray’s lead after Leroy Sané’s opener, but Samsunspor clawed their way back through Anthony Musaba and Emre Kılınç, levelling the match at 2–2 late on. Just as it seemed the visitors had earned a deserved point, Osimhen’s world-class strike settled the contest.
Samsunspor chief full of praise for Osimhen
Speaking after the match, Samsunspor President Yüksel Yıldırım praised the quality of Osimhen’s decisive goal and reflected with pride on his own team’s spirited performance.
Yıldırım said Osimhen’s brilliance validated the €75 million (plus €5 million add-ons) Galatasaray paid Napoli for his signature in the summer.
“My ears were blocked during the second half,” he told AA. “The Galatasaray fans were whistling incredibly. Samsunspor dominated the second half. We could have scored; we missed chances. If we were going to lose, let it be like this.
“When we made it 2–2 in the 88th minute, we thought the match would end that way. Then Victor Osimhen showed why he is an €80 million player. No one else in Türkiye could have scored that goal.”
Osimhen back in form ahead of Champions League test
Osimhen’s brace takes him to five goals in ten league matches this season, a much-needed return to form ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League clash with Monaco next week. His first-half goal was also his first league strike since suffering his injury during the November international window.
Samsunspor appear to be Osimhen’s favourite opponents, he has now netted five goals in three games against them, including four at RAMS Park.
Friday’s win keeps Galatasaray at the top of the Turkish Super Lig with 36 points from 15 matches, maintaining their four-point lead over Fenerbahçe. Manager Okan Buruk will hope Osimhen’s renewed sharpness continues as the champions navigate an important run of domestic and European fixtures before the striker departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
