Osimhen’s goal sends Galatasaray to their first UCL second round in 12 years

Victor Osimhen scored a vital extra-time goal as Galatasaray defeated Juventus 7-5 on aggregate to advance to the second round of the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

Galatasaray nearly lost the plot after a comfortable 5-2 victory in the first leg; they benefited from individual brilliance and a pinch of luck as the return leg ended 3-2 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The hard-fought, dramatic victory sealed the Turkish club’s first appearance in the UCL second round since 2014.

Osimhen had registered a hat-trick of assists in the first leg of the fixture a week ago in Istanbul where Galatasaray ran riot over the Luciano Spalletti-led Bianconeri. But in northern Italy, the story was reversed.

The home side did precisely what the game needed from them, and the result initially broke their way. Manuel Lucatelli scored from the spot in the 37th minute after Kephren Thuram was brought down in the box.

Although Lloyd Kelly got sent off for Juventus after the half-time, the ten-man side doubled their lead 15 minutes later. Federico Gatti found himself in an unusual goalscoring position, and the defender made no mistake and tightened the noose on Galatasaray.

Then, in the 81st minute, Weston McKennie levelled the tie for the Bianconeri. The American scored a powerful header off a delivery from Teun Koopmeiners.

The match extended into extra-time, but the demand of the regular time seemed to have knocked the punch out of Juventus, and they soon fell apart.

Osimhen struck the telling blow deep into the extra minutes. Baris Yilmaz found the Super Eagles inside the goal area. A quick control and the ball was in the net through the legs of Mattia Perin, Juventus’ goalkeeper.

Two minutes before the final whistle, Yilmaz then put the icing on the cake with another brilliant finish.