Victor Osimhen continued his red-hot form in the Turkish Super Lig, scoring as Galatasaray secured a convincing 3–0 away victory over Çaykur Rizespor at the Çaykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday to tighten their grip on the summit of the table.
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The Nigerian striker’s 73rd-minute finish took his league tally to 12 goals in 15 appearances, underlining his importance as Galatasaray strengthened their three-point cushion at the top heading into the business end of the season.
Galatasaray started brightly in Rize and nearly took an early lead when Gabriel Sara’s thunderous long-range effort rattled the woodwork in the 10th minute.
Their dominance was rewarded nine minutes later as Barış Alper Yılmaz powered home a header from Noa Lang’s inch-perfect delivery to open the scoring.
The visitors maintained control after the interval and were unfortunate not to double their advantage immediately, with Lang again striking the post in the 47th minute. Osimhen came close to scoring on the hour mark after racing onto Yunus Akgün’s through ball, but his delicate chip drifted just wide.
Sustained pressure eventually told in the 62nd minute as Galatasaray won possession high up the pitch, allowing Akgün to nod in from close range for his first headed goal for the club.
The contest was effectively sealed in the 73rd minute when Osimhen displayed composure and clinical finishing, rounding the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle to cap off a dominant away performance. Galatasaray could have added further gloss late on, but Mauro Icardi’s effort struck the post in the 82nd minute.
Osimhen completed the full 90 minutes, registering four shots, 42 touches and a yellow card, while compatriot Ibrahim Olawoyin featured for 64 minutes for Rizespor before being substituted.
The victory lifts Galatasaray to 52 points, keeping them clear of Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor at the top of the standings. Rizespor, meanwhile, remain 12th on 20 points, extending their recent struggles.
