Victor Osimhen scored from the penalty spot and provided an assist as Galatasaray came from behind to defeat Goztepe 3-2 at RAMS Park on Saturday, August 29, moving the Istanbul club to the top of the Turkish Super Lig after three matches. The Nigerian striker's contributions proved decisive in a contest that saw the reigning champions initially fall behind.
Goztepe's Early Strike and Galatasaray's Response
Goztepe took the lead in the 16th minute when Novatus Miroshi found the net, forcing Galatasaray to chase the game from the opening quarter. The visitors' direct approach, characterized by long balls and set-piece threats, caused problems throughout the match.
Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez equalized in the 33rd minute, and Gabriel Sara put Galatasaray ahead just before the hour mark, with Osimhen credited with the assist. The 27-year-old forward then converted from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute to make it 3-1, as confirmed by Livescores.
Okan Buruk's Post-Match Assessment
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, noting the challenges posed by Goztepe's playing style. "I think playing against Göztepe is definitely not easy. You know, they're a team that plays very directly. They don't have much passing organisation, but they rely on direct, long balls; second balls, throw-ins, corners... In fact, we conceded a goal from a corner today. So playing against Göztepe is not easy," Buruk told Galatasaray's official website.
Goztepe pulled one back through Juan two minutes after Osimhen's penalty, setting up a tense finish. The Nigerian thought he had sealed the win with a powerful header in the 83rd minute, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
Osimhen's Improved Involvement Praised
Buruk reserved specific praise for Osimhen, highlighting the striker's enhanced involvement and positioning. "Osimhen is getting the ball more often this time, he's getting into more positions in the penalty area, and there's a Galatasaray team that's creating more chances," Buruk added.
The result pushed Galatasaray to seven points from their first three Super Lig outings, placing them at the summit of the league table. Osimhen's tally now stands at five goals in those three games, underlining his impact since the season began.
Transfer Speculation and Future Outlook
In a separate development, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Galatasaray considers Osimhen unsellable, amid continued speculation about a potential move to Arsenal. The Nigerian forward has quickly become a central figure at the club and is thriving in form.
The win over Goztepe marks a strong start to the campaign for Galatasaray as they aim to mount a serious title challenge in the Super Lig. Osimhen's early-season form will be crucial to their ambitions in the coming weeks.
