Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was the man of the match in his side's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League last night, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old was drafted into Gala's starting XI for the first time in a month after struggling with an ankle problem. While he might have scored more on the night, his decisive spot kick made all the difference in the 16th minute.
Osimhen sent his spot kick down the middle while Liverpool's goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, dived to his right.
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Osimhen had a couple more attempts in the second half, both of which were saved, before he was taken off.
Was Osimhen injured against Liverpool?
In the 70th minute, the former Napoli man attempted to reach a pass from a teammate, and in the process, hurt his ankle. He tried to shake it off, but two minutes later, he was replaced by Mauro Icardi.
Player of the Match: Victor Osimhen #UCL | #POTM pic.twitter.com/eIzPhyyE9v
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 30, 2025
After the game, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk spoke about his team's performance against the Premier League Champions and revealed why he took Osimhen off as a precautionary measure.
“Today, we played against a team that was pressing us,” the 51-year-old said in quotes revealed by the club's official website.
“We've done most of what we've planned and wanted across the game. We've given the opponent some chances, but if you're saying we've given the big chances, I think no.
“Before the goal, especially before the penalty, the ball that came out of the castle was very critical. I told you at first that it was an important night.
“We're ready for this game; we've had this game. We lived not only as us, but as a country.”
“Of course, there was fear. Everyone said, “What happens if Galatasaray meets Liverpool with the way they played away in Alanya?”
“Or the score in Frankfurt was in mind. But the mood for each game is different, and the story is different.
“My players wrote the story of this game, so we all read it together. It was a good night.
“Osimhen had fatigue and cramping in his foot, but we do not think it was something very important. There is no negative information at this time,” the former Galatasaray midfielder concluded.
Osimhen's goal against Liverpool last night was his 10th in the competition, making him the highest goal-scoring Nigerian in the UEFA Champions League.
