Victor Osimhen Shines as Galatasaray Defeat Tottenham 3-2 in Europa League Thriller

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Victor Osimhen scored twice to lead Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham in Istanbul on Thursday, handing the Turkish champions the top spot in their Europa League group and inflicting Spurs’ first defeat of the season in the competition.

Galatasaray now sit atop the table with 10 points from four games, on the brink of securing at least a knockout play-off spot. Tottenham, however, dropped to fifth place, losing their 100-percent record in the process.

The hosts struck early, with Yunus Akgun smashing an incredible long-range volley into the top corner in the sixth minute. Tottenham responded quickly, with teenage striker Will Lankshear marking his second first-team appearance by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s cross 12 minutes later to level the score.

Galatasaray regained control before halftime as Osimhen scored twice within eight minutes. The Nigerian star, currently on loan from Napoli, fired home in the 31st minute to put Galatasaray back in the lead, then expertly volleyed a cross from Dries Mertens past Tottenham’s Fraser Forster. This brace brought Osimhen’s goal tally to six in eight appearances for Galatasaray.

Although Galatasaray missed chances to extend their lead, Tottenham’s comeback hopes were further dashed when Lankshear received two quick yellow cards and was sent off. Substitute Dominic Solanke managed to pull a goal back in the 69th minute, but Galatasaray held on to secure the victory.

Elsewhere in the group, Eintracht Frankfurt moved into second place with a 1-0 win over Slavia Prague, thanks to Omar Marmoush’s stunning free-kick goal. Athletic Bilbao claimed third position after a comeback 2-1 victory over Ludogorets, with goals from Inaki Williams and Nico Serrano in quick succession.

In Belgium, Union Saint-Gilloise secured their second point of the competition with a 1-1 draw against Roma, whose struggles in Europe continued after Kevin Mac Allister equalized late in the game.

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