Galatasaray continued their imperious march towards the Süper Lig title with a resounding 4-0 victory over Antalyaspor, a triumph spearheaded by a magnificent hat-trick from Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. The win, achieved in front of their home crowd at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park, not only extended their lead at the top of the table but also marked a significant milestone for head coach Okan Buruk, who was celebrating his 100th game in charge of the Istanbul giants. Osimhen’s clinical finishing, combined with Alvaro Morata’s penalty, cemented Galatasaray’s dominance and further underlined their credentials as title favorites.
The match unfolded as a masterclass in attacking football by Galatasaray. Osimhen initiated the scoring spree in the 30th minute, expertly converting a pass from Morata. The duo then combined again just before halftime, this time with Morata dispatching a penalty to double the advantage. Osimhen, not to be outdone, added his second goal deep into first-half injury time, capitalizing on an assist from B. Yılmaz to effectively put the game beyond Antalyaspor’s reach before the break. The second half saw Osimhen complete his hat-trick early on, assisted by Y. Akgün, bringing his season tally to an impressive 20 league goals in just 22 appearances.
Osimhen’s arrival on loan from Napoli after the fourth game of the season has proven to be a masterstroke by Galatasaray. He has seamlessly integrated into the team and become a focal point of their attack, demonstrating a prolific goalscoring ability that has propelled them to the top of the league. His hat-trick against Antalyaspor brings his overall tally for Galatasaray to a remarkable 26 goals and 5 assists in just 30 appearances across all competitions, solidifying his status as one of the most impactful signings of the season.
The victory against Antalyaspor further strengthens Galatasaray’s grip on the Süper Lig title. Entering the match with an unbeaten record of 21 wins and 5 draws from 26 games, they held a commanding seven-point lead over their nearest rivals, Fenerbahçe. The three points gained pushed their tally to 71, extending their advantage and placing them firmly in the driver’s seat as they pursue the championship. Their dominance of the league this season underscores the effectiveness of their tactics and the individual brilliance of players like Osimhen.
Beyond the scoreline and individual performances, the match also served as a testament to Okan Buruk’s coaching acumen. Reaching the 100-game milestone as Galatasaray’s head coach is a significant achievement, and the emphatic victory provided a fitting tribute to his leadership. Under his guidance, the team has displayed remarkable consistency and attacking prowess, transforming into a formidable force in the Süper Lig. The club’s official statement acknowledged this milestone, highlighting the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Buruk before the match.
While Galatasaray dominated the proceedings, Antalyaspor struggled to create significant opportunities. Their solitary attack in the second half, a blocked shot by Van de Streek, underscored their inability to penetrate Galatasaray’s resolute defense. Substitutions were made by both teams in the second half, with Galatasaray bringing on fresh legs to maintain their momentum and Antalyaspor attempting to inject some life into their attack. However, the game remained firmly under Galatasaray’s control, with their 4-0 lead never truly threatened. The comprehensive victory sets Galatasaray up perfectly for their next challenge, an away fixture against Beşiktaş, as they continue their relentless pursuit of the Süper Lig title.
