Victor Osimhen delivered when it mattered most on Wednesday night, firing Galatasaray into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after a tense battle against Juventus.
The Turkish champions were beaten 3 to 2 after extra time on the night, but Osimhen’s late strike proved decisive as Galatasaray advanced 7 to 5 on aggregate.
The result secures their first appearance in the knockout round since 2014 and sets up a clash with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
After the break, the game became exciting, and Juventus seized control with a Manuel Locatelli penalty in the first half.
Already on a booking, Lloyd Kelly’s second yellow was upgraded to a straight red card after a VAR review by referee Joao Pinheiro, therefore leaving the Italian side to play the game with ten men.
Galatasaray kept their cool in extra time, taking advantage of their numerical benefit and Osimhen’s composure in front of goal, even though they had given up a three-goal aggregate advantage at one point.
Juventus players voiced annoyance at the officiating, yet weariness eventually caught up in overtime. But for Galatasaray, it was a night of resilience, controversy, and a Nigerian celebrity ascending the highest European club football arena.
