Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen made a powerful return in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Antalyaspor on Saturday, leaving a lasting impression after being sidelined by injury. Entering the game as a substitute for Yunus Akgün in the 78th minute, Osimhen was met with thunderous applause from the fans eager to see him back on the pitch.
By that point, Galatasaray had already established control of the match, largely thanks to Mauro Icardi, who had secured a brace earlier on. The prolific on-loan striker from Napoli had been out since sustaining an injury during a thrilling 3-3 draw against Kasimpasa, where Osimhen himself had scored twice in a span of eight minutes, marking a resurgence after a brief goal drought.
In the weeks leading up to his return, Osimhen began solo training, working hard on his recovery. Galatasaray heightened anticipation by releasing a 1.52-second video during the international break, showing the Nigerian forward training alone, fueling hopes of his imminent comeback. A post from the club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account confirmed: “Victor Osimhen worked separately from the team within the scope of a special programme prepared for him.”
Osimhen wasted no time making his presence felt, capping off Galatasaray’s victory with a stunning goal in the 92nd minute. Connecting perfectly with a free kick from Hakim Ziyech, he executed an overhead scissors kick to seal the win, electrifying the stadium and showcasing his return to form.
His comeback added a thrilling finish to the match, proving that the striker had not lost his sharpness despite the injury setback. Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk expressed his delight at Osimhen’s return, recognizing the player’s critical role in the squad.
This goal, in his first match back, reaffirmed Osimhen’s importance to the team, much to the excitement of fans. With the victory, Galatasaray moved to 25 points from nine games, solidifying their position at the top of the league table.
