Osimhen’s brace lifts Galatasaray over Tottenham

By Tosin Omojola

Victor Osimhen’s double helped Galatasaray hand Tottenham their first Europa League defeat of the season in a heated match in Istanbul, where Spurs finished with ten men.

Teenager Will Lankshear initially gave Tottenham hope with his first senior goal in just his second start. However, the young forward’s night took a turn when he received two yellow cards by the 60th minute, leaving Tottenham shorthanded. By that point, Spurs had already missed opportunities to take control, with the final score reflecting Galatasaray’s dominance.

Tottenham struggled throughout, unable to deal with the intense atmosphere and making costly mistakes in defense. Yunus Akgun set the tone early, scoring in the sixth minute with a spectacular 20-yard left-foot volley that beat goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Although 19-year-old Lankshear equalized from close range after a setup by Brennan Johnson, Tottenham’s frequent errors invited pressure. Manager Ange Postecoglou’s choice to start six first-choice players on the bench may also face scrutiny after the team’s lackluster performance.

Central defender Radu Dragusin’s error led to Osimhen’s first goal, as the Napoli loanee pounced on a Dries Mertens pass to finish with his right foot, slotting the ball past Forster into the corner. Osimhen’s second came moments later when he converted another Mertens assist, finding space unmarked to finish from eight yards.

Substitute Dominic Solanke pulled one back for Spurs in the 69th minute, tapping in a pass from Pedro Porro, but it was too little, too late. Galatasaray could have further extended their lead, but profligate finishing and several key saves from Forster kept the scoreline respectable.

Okan Buruk’s side walked away with a deserved win, while Tottenham will need to address defensive lapses and tactical decisions in future matches.