Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen endured a frustrating night as Galatasaray fell to a 2-1 defeat against Beşiktaş at the Tüpraş Stadium on Saturday.

Osimhen returned to club duties following an eventful international break, during which he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Napoli loanee scored all of the Super Eagles' goals in their 2-0 victory over Rwanda and 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe.

However, his return to Turkey did not go as planned, with Galatasaray suffering a painful setback in their title race against a determined Beşiktaş side.

Match Summary

The derby began at a slow tempo, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges. However, Beşiktaş found the breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Rafa Silva finished off a well-worked move to put the hosts ahead.

Galatasaray attempted to respond but were dealt a major blow in the 36th minute when Przemysław Frankowski was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving the visitors with ten men for the remainder of the match.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the defending Süper Lig champions found a lifeline just before half-time. Lucas Torreira latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired home to level the score at 1-1, giving Galatasaray hope heading into the second half.

Second Half Struggles and Beşiktaş’s Winner

With a man down, Galatasaray adopted a more defensive approach after the break, attempting to absorb Beşiktaş’s pressure while hoping to strike on the counter. Osimhen, leading the line, found himself increasingly isolated as the home side took control of possession.

Beşiktaş intensified their attacks, and their persistence paid off in the 78th minute. Gedson Fernandes capitalised on a defensive lapse, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to restore the home side’s lead.

Galatasaray pushed for an equaliser in the dying moments, with Osimhen coming close on a couple of occasions. However, Beşiktaş’s defence held firm to secure a crucial victory in the Istanbul derby.

What’s Next for Osimhen and Galatasaray?

The defeat is a setback for Galatasaray as they continue their pursuit of the Süper Lig title. They will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture to avoid losing further ground in the title race.

For Osimhen, the challenge remains to rediscover his best form in Turkey, having shown his brilliance on international duty. The Nigerian striker will be eager to get back on the scoresheet and help his side bounce back in the coming matches.