Galatasaray recorded their first points of this season’s Champions League league phase with a 4-2 win over Lille on Wednesday, coming through a first half that finished 2-2 before taking control after the break, APA reports citing Türkiye Today.
Victor Osimhen scored the goal that put the visitors two clear in the 61st minute, against the club where he made his name. Galatasaray had lost their first two matches, and Lille, who are also pointless, now sit without a point after three games.
A first half of swings
Galatasaray led after 65 seconds. Baris Alper Yilmaz sprinted down the left and crossed with the outside of his boot, Alexsandro’s hesitant clearance fell kindly, and Yunus Akgun fired in at the Decathlon Arena.
Lille equalized in the seventh minute. Alexsandro, atoning for his part in the opener, stepped out of defense and played a precise through ball, and 19-year-old Soriba Diaoune rounded goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to score.
Diaoune then headed an effort that Cakir tipped over, and Galatasaray thought they had won a penalty when Osimhen went down in a race with Berke Ozer.
After a video review showed Ozer had won the ball, referee Rade Obrenovic overturned the decision.
Lille went ahead in the 39th minute. Cakir parried a shot from Dilane Bakwa, Hakon Haraldsson took a first-time touch to set up Diaoune, and the forward placed his second goal into the top right corner.
The lead lasted five minutes. Roland Sallai was left with too much space on the right and crossed for the unmarked Alexey Batrakov, who headed in to make it 2-2 at halftime.
Galatasaray take control
Galatasaray went ahead again in the 52nd minute. A corner from Gabriel Sara reached the near post, where Lucas Torreira glanced a touch toward goal.
Ozer got both hands to the ball but could not keep it out.
The goal was first credited to Torreira and later recorded as an own goal by Ozer.
Osimhen sealed the result nine minutes later. Batrakov carried the ball through midfield and found the striker, who exchanged passes with Yilmaz and finished past Ozer.
He did not celebrate, raising his arms in acknowledgment to his former club instead. When he was substituted in the 84th minute, Lille supporters gave him a warm ovation, and he applauded them back.
Osimhen had a second finish disallowed for offside in the 69th minute.
Lille created little in the second half, though Maurits Kjaergaard volleyed just wide of the post in the 82nd minute.
Galatasaray also made changes, with Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Eren Elmali and Deniz Gul coming on late.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
