Galatasaray vs Ajax was played at the Istanbul lights, few of them could have imagined how superior one man will be. Nigeria football star, Victor Osimhen produced a master piece in the game of football, a hat-trick that not only enabled Galatasaray to set up their victory in the commanding margin but also wrote his name in the books of Nigerian football history.
This performance made Osimhen not only take his team to a vital victory but also made him the all time top scorer in European competitions in Nigeria taking over the position of Obafemi Martins. It was a power, precision and poise day, the type of performance that characterizes elite strikers.
Ajax was in the game and it was in dire need of a result. After losing their opening three games in the Champions league the Dutch giants were under pressure to recover their pride. Their performance, although not vintage in the first half, enabled them to maintain at least a level with a huge assist of the experienced goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
In the first half, Osimhen was rejected by Pasveer twice. The former happened when the Nigerian striker tore off Josip Sutalo and fired a long range shot almost point-blank but it was parried. Another attempt was a desperate one, and was prevented twenty seconds later by a leaping save that left Ajax in the game.
In addition to Galatasaray controlling the game they failed to carve an opening before the halftime. The ingenuity of Leroy Sane and the strength of Kerem Akturkoglu were stretched to the limit at Ajax, both the hosts defending the end line, insisting on the draw that led to a 0-0 result with tact and some sort of fortune.
But immediately the tide changed drastically after the break. It took Galatasaray only 14 minutes of the second half to persist, but their efforts paid off, and it was Osimhen who eventually put Ajax to the test.
The idea was typical Osimhen that of pure striker instincts. His timing was perfect and he ran in front of defender Sutalo and met the teasing cross of Sane as he crashed a thumping header past Pasveer and the wavering attacks of Galatasaray were insatiable.
Then it fell to the penalty, which was granted following a check on VAR which showed that the ball had bounced off the leg of Youri Baas and hit his arm. Osimhen came and easily hit a loose ball in the net and left Pasveer misguided.
Several minutes later lightning struck a second time. Anton Gaaei was inside the box trying to block a cross but the referee indicated the spot again. This time Osimhen has not wasted opportunities and sent the ball high in the upper-right corner no good, no more doubt no denying.
The hat-trick was equal and so was the demolition. Galatasaray players were in high jovial mood around their striker as they were watching history unfolding just before them.
This is not just the historical three points won by Osimhen but historical points. His 25 th European competition goal made him the highest scorer in European football in Nigeria overtaking former European football goalscorer Obafemi Martins of Inter Milan and of Newcastle United.
Osimhen is still on an upward trajectory at the age of 26. He scored six goals in this season champions league edging such world legends as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe which speaks of his consistency and maturity.
A combination of athleticism, calmness and tactical astuteness is making the Nigerian forward one of the most feared strikers in Europe. Any touch, any run, any finish is full of confidence.
As Galatasaray rejoiced, the crisis of Ajax increased. The fourth consecutive loss of the champions league in their lives, this was probably their most embarrassing one. The Dutch, who at one point in time were an icon of excellence across Europe, find themselves at the bottom of the table with 14 goals having only scored a single goal in the four games. Their inability to counterattack and their lack of innovation has been ambitious during the campaign.
Manager John van ‘t Schip now has gigantic pressure to restore morale and identity. The iconic philosophy of attacking as introduced by Ajax to the football scene is gone and it was replaced with insecurity and vulnerability.
To Galatasaray, this was not merely a ball game victory, but a declaration of purpose. The Turkish legends are now in a comfortable position of securing the top eight and the automatic placement in the knock-out rounds since they have fit into the top eight after being at the ninth position in the league phase.
Galatasaray have found their European identity back under Okan Buruk vicious, structured in front of goal and ruthless. The presence of Osimhen, Sane and Akturkoglu in the attack has given it a dynamic quality and the availability of Lucas Torreira in the midfield has given it a demanded balance.
The win might be a catapult to Galatasaray restoring its prestige in the continent.
The Galatasaray vs Ajax match will be remembered as the night of power, precision and pride by Victor Osimhen. That hat trick did not only guarantee a win, it triggered a restart of history in Nigeria football and a revival in Galatasaray football dreams in Europe.
To Ajax, it was just another lesson on their downward spiral a shadow of their great old and could not muster the energy to play the fast and rough style of continental football.
With the Champions League still in full swing, there is no use doubt that Victor Osimhen has come to town as one of the most lethal forwards in Europe and Galatasaray have a magic man who can drive them far into the knockout stages.
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