Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray claimed a record 26th Turkish Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Antalyaspor at RAMS Park on Saturday, securing a fourth consecutive championship to equal the club’s own historic streak from 1996 to 2000, Sunday PUNCH reports.
- +Osimhen’s strikes seal Turkish League for Galatasaray
The Nigerian striker, who joined Galatasaray permanently after helping them win the domestic double on loan last season, was the defining figure on a night that nearly unravelled before the celebrations could begin.
The Nigerian striker, who joined Galatasaray permanently after helping them win the domestic double on loan last season, was the defining figure on a night that nearly unravelled before the celebrations could begin.
Antalyaspor twice pulled ahead to threaten what had been expected to be a comfortable title party in Istanbul.
Soner Dikmen scored the opener for the visitors just before half-time, silencing a crowd already preparing to celebrate. The tension deepened after the restart when substitute Mario Lemina levelled the game in the 56th minute, only for Dikmen to strike again six minutes later to make it 2-1 on the night.
Osimhen then took matters into his own hands.
The Super Eagles striker converted a penalty he won in the 66th minute to pull Galatasaray level, before returning in the 88th minute to drill home a second and complete their comeback.
Substitute Kaan Ayhan then scored in the 95th to put the result beyond all doubt.
The title arrived with added personal significance for Osimhen, who has now scored or assisted in each of his last 11 Super Lig appearances this season. The former Napoli striker already has the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, the Serie A title and last season’s Turkish league and cup double to his name. Saturday’s triumph adds another major honour to a collection that continues to grow.
Galatasaray had gone into the match with a four-point cushion over Fenerbahce and needed only a positive result to seal the title. The club had reportedly promised the squad a €5m bonus and several days off if they delivered the championship at home, with manager Okan Buruk having cancelled an earlier planned holiday following their shock 4-1 defeat to Samsunspor the previous weekend.
The scenes that followed the final whistle were predictably euphoric, with Istanbul set to host the kind of celebrations that have become familiar during Galatasaray’s era of dominance. Last season, thousands of fans followed the team across the Bosphorus in boats, while a parade and a gathering of over one million supporters at the Yenikapı Rally Area marked the trophy ceremony.
With 26 league titles, Galatasaray stand further ahead than ever as the most successful club in Turkish football history.
