Former Chelsea captain Andy Townsend has lauded Victor Osimhen for his match-saving goal in the first half of extra time during Galatasaray’s 3-2 loss to Juventus in a UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff in Turin on Wednesday night, highlighting how the Nigerian forward rescued the Turkish champions under intense pressure.
Juventus had been reduced to ten men for much of the match following the controversial dismissal of Lloyd Kelly, but Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie all scored to force the game into an additional thirty minutes.
Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Osimhen broke free from Federico Gatti and calmly slotted the ball through goalkeeper Mattia Perin’s legs, giving Galatasaray a decisive advantage over two legs.
The drama continued in the 119th minute when Barış Alper Yılmaz struck to seal Galatasaray’s progression to the round of 16.
Osimhen was named Player of the Match, with UEFA’s Technical Observer Group praising his focus and determination in netting a goal that helped to secure qualification despite Juventus’ dominance.
While analyzing the goal on the Champions League world feed, Townsend highlighted Osimhen’s movement and composure.
“As soon as it arrives on that side, on his right foot, you know that he won’t hesitate in getting that shot away and certainly hit the target.
“Great run, he peels off. Gatti’s outstretched leg not doing enough and he fires this one past Mattia Perin. It does go through the goalkeeper’s legs, but it is a centre-forward’s finish.
“A proper finish there from Victor Osimhen and he really has brought his team out of jail.”
Osimhen’s 16 goals in his first 25 UEFA Champions League games place him among Africa’s top scorers in the competition, trailing only Serhou Guirassy (18) and surpassing Didier Drogba (15).
