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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen bagged his first hat-trick for Galatasaray, inspiring the Turkish champions to a dominant 4-0 win over Antalyaspor on Friday night, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen was the focal point of Galatasaray’s attack as the Lions breezed past their visitors at RAMS Park in Istanbul in this gameweek 28 fixture.
Antalyaspor arrived with confidence after a 2-1 home win against Rizespor last week, while Galatasaray had been struggling — winning just once in their previous five matches. However, with Osimhen in top form, Okan Buruk’s men always looked the more likely winners.
The Nigerian opened the scoring in the 30th minute, ghosting in at the back post to turn home a low cross from Álvaro Morata.
GOAL! ANOTHER GAME, ANOTHER OSIMHEN GOAL! pic.twitter.com/Rq82VltDEd
— Ghana Naija Ballers (@GHNaijaBallers) March 14, 2025
Galatasaray doubled their advantage just before the break, with Morata converting a penalty after VAR spotted a handball in the Antalyaspor box.
Despite being Galatasaray’s designated penalty taker, Osimhen selflessly allowed Morata to take the spot-kick, which marked the Spaniard’s second league goal for the club.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Osimhen struck again, latching onto a Baris Alper Yilmaz assist before rifling home a right-footed finish from close range. It was the seventh time the 26-year-old had scored twice in a game for Galatasaray since joining on loan from Napoli.
But Osimhen wasn’t done yet. He completed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute, smashing home another right-footed effort from a Yunus Akgün assist. His first-ever treble for Galatasaray sealed a crucial 21st league win for the Lions.
Osimhen tops the goal charts in Turkey
The victory extended Galatasaray’s lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig to seven points over second-placed Fenerbahce, managed by José Mourinho.
Osimhen’s hat-trick also saw him overtake Istanbul Basaksehir’s Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek as the league’s top scorer. The Nigerian now boasts 20 league goals—two more than Piatek.
This is only the second time Osimhen has hit 20 or more goals in a single league season, having netted 26 in Napoli’s historic Scudetto-winning campaign in 2022-23.
Super Eagles boost ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Osimhen’s stunning form—six goals in his last three games—will be a major boost for Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle, who has included him in the Super Eagles’ 23-man squad for next week’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
With Osimhen firing on all cylinders, Chelle will be confident his team can secure vital wins in those matches.
