Super Eagles forward, Victor Osihmen scored brace as Galatasaray defeated Tottenham Hotspurs 3-2 in Europa League campaign on Thursday night.
Spurs striker Will Lankshear found the net for his first goal in European competition but marred his night by receiving a red card later in the game.
Galatasaray opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when Yunus Akgun unleashed a stunning half-volley from long range, sending the ball past the Tottenham goalkeeper just six minutes into the match.
Spurs didn’t wait long to respond, as Brennan Johnson created an equalizing opportunity in the 18th minute. Johnson squared the ball across the goal for Lankshear, who slotted it in with ease.
However, defensive lapses haunted Spurs once more. In the 31st minute, a costly error by Radu Dragusin allowed Mauro Icardi to pounce, dispossessing him.
Icardi then laid the ball off to Dries Mertens, who quickly set up Osimhen. The Nigerian striker wasted no time, curling a shot into the bottom corner to reclaim the lead for Galatasaray.
Before halftime, Osimhen further punished the visitors with his second goal. With six minutes left in the half, Mertens lofted a perfectly timed ball into the box, where Osimhen, positioned between two defenders, expertly cushioned a volley beyond the Tottenham goalkeeper from close range.
Tottenham’s chances took another blow in the 60th minute when Lankshear, who had already been booked, received a second yellow card, reducing Spurs to ten men.
Despite the setback, Spurs showed resilience, finding a way back into the game in the 69th minute.
Substitute Dominic Solanke cleverly back-heeled Pedro Porro’s cross, sending it past the Galatasaray keeper to close the deficit to a single goal.
Spurs fought for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Galatasaray held firm. The loss marked Tottenham’s first stumble in the competition, leaving them with nine points, one shy of Galatasaray, who remain unbeaten in the Europa League group stage.
