Record-Chasing Osimhen Scores As Galatasaray Thrash Konyaspor 4-0

Victor Osimhen continues his rich vein of form for Galatasaray against Konyaspor on Friday. The 27-year-old center-forward, who welcomed a new baby girl, scored the first goal in Galatasaray's 4-0 victory.

Osimhen rose highest to nod home Sara's well-taken free kick to give the away side the lead in the 12th minute. Yunus Akgün's long-range strike from outside the box doubled their advantage in the 28th minute.

Konyaspor threatened briefly before the break, with Rajmund Toth's deflected header hitting the crossbar in the 29th minute. Osimhen then saw his effort in first-half stoppage time tipped over the bar by the Konyaspor goalkeeper.

Aleksey Batrakov scored Galatasaray's third goal just after the restart when he ran into the box and slotted the ball past substitute goalkeeper Deniz Ertaş. It was the Russian midfielder's first league goal for the club.

Portuguese international Rafael Leão completed the scoring from the spot in the 55th minute. The former AC Milan man was brought down in the box by Baniya and was awarded a penalty after VAR intervention. It was Leão's first goal for Galatasaray.

As it stands, Osimhen now has nine league goals and three assists in eight Süper Lig games this season, and ten goals in ten appearances across all competitions. The win lifts Galatasaray to 25 points at the top of the table, while Konyaspor remain on eight points.

With tonight's goal, the record-chasing striker needs just nine more goals to become Galatasaray's all-time highest-scoring foreign player. He currently has 69 goals for the club, 8 lesser than Mauro Icardi, who leads with 77 goals. 

Injury Scare And A Happy Home 

At some point in the encounter, the former Napoli striker was seen limping, and he was substituted for Deniz Gül in the 61st minute. 

Considering the international break is just under two weeks away, Nigerians are hoping their striker is in top shape and physical condition.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, Osimhen has had plenty to smile about as Galatasaray announced on Thursday, 29 October, that the striker and his partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, had welcomed a baby girl. She is the couple's second child. 

The Upcoming International Window

Osimhen's next assignment with the Super Eagles comes in November, when Nigeria face Tanzania in a double-header of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group L qualifiers. 

The first leg is at home on Wednesday, 11 November, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, followed by the return fixture in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, 15 November.

With Tanzania already qualified as co-hosts, only one of the other three sides in the group can advance.