Osimhen inspires Galatasaray to stunning rout of Juventus in Champions League 

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Victor Osimhen delivered a commanding performance as Galatasaray thrashed Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off on Tuesday.

The Turkish giants overturned a first-half deficit and capitalised on a Juventus red card to seize full control of the tie.

Galatasaray struck first in the 15th minute when Gabriel Sara reacted quickest to a rebound inside the box to fire home for 1-0.

Juventus responded almost immediately, as Teun Koopmeiners capitalised on a loose ball to level at 1-1 in the 16th minute.

The Italian side then stunned the home crowd in the 32nd minute when Koopmeiners unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top left corner to make it 2-1.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the break.

Noa Lang restored parity in the 49th minute, rifling home from close range to make it 2-2. Just over ten minutes later, Davinson Sánchez rose above the Juventus defence to convert from a free-kick, with the ball deflecting into the net for 3-2.

Juventus’ hopes of a comeback suffered a major blow in the 67th minute when Juan Cabal received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Galatasaray made their numerical advantage count. Lang grabbed his second goal of the night in the 75th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and blasting it into the top left corner for 4-2 after being assisted by Osimhen.

Osimhen then crowned a dominant individual display with a decisive contribution in the 86th minute. The Nigerian forward teed up Sacha Boey inside the box, and the defender kept his composure to slot home and seal a comprehensive 5-2 victory.

Osimhen had earlier tested Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with a powerful header and remained a constant menace throughout the contest, stretching the Italian defence with his movement and physicality.

With the emphatic first-leg win, Galatasaray now carry a commanding advantage into the return fixture, while Juventus face a daunting task to keep their Champions League ambitions alive.