Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen continued his remarkable scoring streak on Tuesday night, netting his 30th goal of the season to inspire Galatasaray to a commanding 5-1 victory over Konyaspor in their Turkish Cup semi-final clash. The win, secured at the Konya Buyuksehir Arena, sends the Istanbul giants into the final of the prestigious domestic competition as they close in on a potential league and cup double.
Osimhen, on loan from Serie A club Napoli, wasted no time in making his mark on the contest. In the 26th minute, the 25-year-old striker opened the scoring in clinical fashion, rising above the Konyaspor defence to power home a perfectly weighted cross from his former Napoli teammate, Belgian playmaker Dries Mertens. The header gave Galatasaray a deserved early lead and showcased the chemistry between the two former Serie A stars, now reunited in Turkey.
The goal was Osimhen�s third in the Turkish Cup this season, adding to the 21 he has scored in the Super Lig and six more in the Europa League, underlining his incredible consistency across all competitions. In addition to his 30 goals, he has also contributed six assists, making him arguably the most influential player in Galatasaray�s campaign.
Shortly before halftime, Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira doubled Galatasaray�s advantage, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot home a precise finish and give manager Okan Buruk�s side a comfortable cushion heading into the break. Galatasaray returned from the interval in ruthless form, continuing to dominate proceedings against a Konyaspor side that had topped Group C earlier in the competition.
Hungarian forward Robert Sallai added two more goals in quick succession in the second half�one coming just after the restart and the other midway through the half�to put the result beyond doubt. Although Konyaspor managed a brief moment of resistance through a consolation goal from Pedrinho, it did little to shift the momentum.
Osimhen, who had been a constant menace to the Konyaspor backline, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 73rd minute, replaced by promising youngster Yusuf Demir. Demir added the fifth and final goal in stoppage time, rounding off a performance that will no doubt boost morale in the Galatasaray camp ahead of the final.
This semi-final triumph builds on Osimhen�s heroics earlier in the tournament, where he played a decisive role in Galatasaray�s dramatic 2-1 quarter-final win over arch-rivals Fenerbahce, managed by Jose Mourinho. In that intense encounter at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Osimhen scored both goals, effectively eliminating Galatasaray�s bitter Istanbul rivals and booking their place in the semi-finals.
Galatasaray�s path to the final has not been without its challenges. They finished second in Group C of the tournament�s group stage, earning five points from three matches, just behind Tuesday�s opponents Konyaspor, who collected seven points. However, when it mattered most, the Lions rose to the occasion, delivering a masterclass in attacking football to secure their place in the final.
The win keeps Galatasaray�s hopes of a domestic double alive. They currently sit five points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig with six games remaining and now have the opportunity to add the Turkish Cup to their trophy cabinet for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Osimhen�s loan deal from Napoli is set to expire at the end of the season, and while several top European clubs are monitoring his situation, the Super Eagles star has made it clear that his focus remains on finishing the season strongly with Galatasaray.
�I�m just focused on helping the team win. We�re close to making history, and I want to give everything until the final whistle of the season,� Osimhen told reporters after the match.
With the final just weeks away and the league title within reach, Galatasaray fans will be hoping their Nigerian talisman continues his sensational form as they chase domestic glory on two fronts.
