Victor Osimhen did his talking on the pitch and then followed it up with sharp words after helping Galatasaray secure a commanding 3-0 win over Fenerbahçe in Sunday’s Intercontinental derby, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian striker had been at the centre of attention before kick-off.
Fenerbahçe had raised concerns off the pitch and even submitted a petition to the Turkish football federation, asking for Osimhen to be ruled out of the game. Their complaint focused on the protective bandage on his right forearm.
Osimhen had been wearing it since undergoing surgery on a broken bone suffered during a Champions League clash with Liverpool in March. Reports suggested Osimhen was frustrated by the move and was even willing to play without the bandage to prove his fitness ahead of one of the biggest matches of the season.
In the end, he was cleared to play and he made sure his presence was felt. Just before half-time, Osimhen broke the deadlock with an improvised finish, guiding the ball in with his knee in a crowded penalty area. It was a moment of instinct and sharp movement, exactly what Galatasaray needed in a tense derby.
Two more goals after the break sealed a comfortable victory, moving Galatasaray closer to another league title and leaving their biggest rivals with little response.
Osimhen’s message: “We got less tired than in training”
After the final whistle, Osimhen did not hold back when reflecting on both the match and the build-up to it.
“After losing in the cup, we needed to prepare more ambitiously,” Osimhen said after the encounter.
“We talked in the locker room, said this match is behind us, and motivated ourselves. Our coach also motivated us. In the last 3 training sessions, we fought really well. The trainings were even more ambitious, more eager, and more exhausting than this match. With all due respect to the opponent; we got less tired in this match than in training. As Galatasaray, we want to continue like this until the end of the season.”
It was a clear message, both about Galatasaray’s mindset and a subtle dig at Fenerbahçe after the pre-match controversy.
The result has major implications in the 2025–26 Turkish Süper Lig title race. Galatasaray now sit top with 74 points from 31 matches, holding a seven-point lead over Fenerbahçe, who remain on 67 points after the same number of games.
Trabzonspor, on 65 points with a game in hand, are still in the chase, while Beşiktaş trail further behind on 55 points.
Galatasaray’s latest victory puts them firmly on course for a fourth consecutive league title. Players like Osimhen and Mauro Icardi have continued to deliver at key moments, especially in high-pressure matches like this one.
The defeat could prove costly for Fenerbahçe. Dropping points in such a crucial derby has weakened their chances of catching the leaders at a decisive stage of the season.
Meanwhile, Trabzonspor remain a threat just behind, with Paul Onuachu leading the scoring charts on 22 goals and keeping the race for second place alive.
