Osimhen scores brace as Galatasaray defeats Tottenham in Europa League
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray handed Tottenham their first Europa League defeat of the season, clinching a 3-2 victory in Istanbul on Thursday.
The Turkish champions now lead the group with 10 points from four matches, virtually guaranteeing a place in at least the knock-out play-off round, while Spurs drop to fifth after losing their perfect record.
Galatasaray struck first as Yunus Akgun unleashed a stunning long-range volley into the top corner in the sixth minute.
The visitors equalised just 12 minutes later when young striker Will Lankshear, making only his second first-team appearance, tapped in a cross from Brennan Johnson.
However, Galatasaray took command before half-time, with Osimhen scoring twice within an eight-minute span. The Nigerian forward put the hosts back in front just after the half-hour mark, then expertly volleyed Dries Mertens’ cross past Tottenham keeper Fraser Forster.
Osimhen has now tallied six goals in eight appearances for Galatasaray since joining on loan from Napoli.
Although the home side missed several chances to extend their lead, Spurs’ hopes of a comeback were dashed when Lankshear received two quick yellow cards and was sent off in the second half.
Dominic Solanke pulled one back for Spurs in the 69th minute, shortly after being brought on by manager Ange Postecoglou, but Galatasaray held firm to secure the win.
Eintracht Frankfurt sit second in the group, behind Galatasaray on goal difference, after Omar Marmoush’s 13th goal of the season secured a 1-0 victory over Slavia Prague. The Egyptian struck with a superb free-kick off the crossbar shortly after the break.
Athletic Bilbao are in third, also trailing Eintracht on goals scored, following a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Ludogorets, with Inaki Williams and Nico Serrano both netting within a two-minute surge.
Meanwhile, Roma’s lacklustre campaign continued, as Kevin Mac Allister’s goal 13 minutes from time earned Union Saint-Gilloise their second point of the tournament with a 1-1 draw in Belgium.