September 15, 2024
By Okafor Joseph Afam

In a breathtaking display of attacking football, Galatasaray crushed Çaykur Rizespor 5-0 at the NEF Stadium, marking a special day for fans as Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen made his much-anticipated debut. The victory solidified Galatasaray’s dominance in the Turkish Süper Lig and sent a warning to their rivals.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray from Napoli during the summer transfer window, wasted no time showcasing his immense talent. From the very first whistle, the forward played with intensity, linking up brilliantly with teammates and creating several dangerous opportunities.

The scoring began in the 12th minute when Kerem Aktürkoğlu found the back of the net with a well-placed shot after a slick team move. Galatasaray controlled possession throughout the first half, pressing Rizespor relentlessly, leaving their defense overwhelmed.

Osimhen’s moment came just before the break. In the 41st minute, he received a perfectly weighted cross from Sacha Boey and buried a header into the top corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Nigerian’s goal capped a fantastic first half for the home side, who went into the interval 2-0 up.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Galatasaray continuing to dominate. Mauro Icardi, Galatasaray’s talismanic striker, added his name to the scoresheet in the 58th minute after a clever assist from Barış Alper Yılmaz. The rout was far from over, as Galatasaray’s attacking prowess was simply too much for Rizespor.

In the 70th minute, Osimhen made another crucial contribution, setting up midfielder Lucas Torreira for the fourth goal with a deft pass after a blistering run down the flank. Torreira’s clinical finish put the result beyond doubt.

Galatasaray capped off the night with a fifth and final goal in the 85th minute, courtesy of substitute Dries Mertens, who curled in a stunning strike from the edge of the box.

As the final whistle blew, Galatasaray celebrated a resounding victory, with Osimhen’s debut performance adding an extra layer of excitement to their title ambitions. His ability to link play, create chances, and score will undoubtedly make him a key figure in the club’s campaign this season.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk praised his team’s collective effort after the match, stating, “It was a fantastic team performance. We’ve worked hard on our attacking game, and today we reaped the rewards. Victor [Osimhen] has fit in perfectly, and I’m excited to see what more he can offer as the season progresses.”

With this victory, Galatasaray remain top of the league, and with Osimhen leading the charge, their fans can look forward to more electrifying performances in the months ahead.

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Match Stats:
Galatasaray 5-0 Çaykur Rizespor
Scorers:
12’ Kerem Aktürkoğlu
41’ Victor Osimhen
58’ Mauro Icardi
70’ Lucas Torreira
85’ Dries Mertens

Possession: Galatasaray 65%, Rizespor 35%
Shots on target: Galatasaray 10, Rizespor 2