Victor Osimhen hailed Galatasaray as “the best team in the world” after firing the Turkish champions to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian striker, making his first start after a three-week injury layoff, scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 16th minute at Rams Park. His calm finish, awarded after Dominik Szoboszlai fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz, capped a raucous opening and piled further pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has now suffered back-to-back group stage defeats.
Liverpool pushed hard for an equaliser but saw their hopes dashed when an 89th-minute penalty was overturned by VAR, sealing a famous night for the hosts. The result marked only Galatasaray’s second win in their last 19 Champions League group matches, yet the atmosphere made it feel like a landmark occasion as more than 51,000 fans roared their team on in Istanbul.
Reflecting on the victory, Osimhen expressed pride in his team’s resilience.
“I want to congratulate the team. It was a tough opponent for us. The odds were against us, but we pulled together,” he said. “I was out for three weeks, but for me, Galatasaray is the best team in the world. The constant chanting of my name and the passion of our fans gave me strength.”
Speaking to CBS Sports, the Super Eagles striker also paid tribute to Liverpool’s pedigree.
“I’m extremely happy about the performance we put in against one of the greatest clubs in Europe,” he said. “Liverpool remain one of the best teams of the last decade. This win motivates us, and they made us even better. We know there’s still a lot to work on, but it’s a big moment for us.”
The night carried personal significance for Osimhen, who had previously seen a penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during his Napoli days.
“You come face-to-face with one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so I had to stay focused,” he admitted. “I didn’t change my spot, but I kept my concentration high. For me, it’s a huge moment, but it’s only a step forward—we won’t be carried away.”
Osimhen’s goal also etched his name into history, taking his tally to 10 goals in the Champions League proper, making him the first Nigerian player to reach double figures in the competition’s history (excluding qualifying). He surpasses Obafemi Martins, who has nine, with Ademola Lookman, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni all on five.
For Galatasaray, the victory arrives in their 120th anniversary year, providing symbolic momentum as they target a fourth straight Turkish Super Lig title while dreaming of progression to the Champions League knockout stages.
