25th January, 2025
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen delivered the decisive blow with a first-half penalty, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Galatasaray over Konyaspor and maintaining their top spot in the Turkish Super Lig.
The match, played under the watchful eye of referee Halil Umut Meler, was a rollercoaster of emotions.
After a tense 20-minute period, Osimhen was awarded a penalty, following a VAR review, for a foul on a Galatasaray player.
The striker, known for his composure, coolly slotted the ball into the left side of the net, sending goalkeeper Jakub Slowik the wrong way.
Despite Galatasaray dominating possession with 61% of the ball, Konyaspor fought valiantly, with their defense desperately blocking several key opportunities.
The standout moment came in the 83rd minute when Konyaspor’s Blaz Kramer was sent off for a reckless challenge, leaving the visitors down to 10 men and their hopes of a comeback in tatters.
Galatasaray continued to press in the second half, with Osimhen and his teammates creating numerous chances.
However, their efforts were thwarted by a combination of excellent defending and a few unlucky misses.
