AFCON 2025
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored twice but could not prevent Galatasaray from opening their 2026/27 Süper Lig campaign with a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Çorum at RAMS Park on Friday.
The reigning Turkish champions dominated much of the first half but struggled to turn their possession into clear-cut chances. Osimhen came close in the 15th minute when he rose above his marker to meet a cross, but his header drifted narrowly wide.
The Nigerian striker also tested Çorum goalkeeper Marcos Felipe with a shot from the edge of the box, but the effort was comfortably saved as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.
Osimhen finally broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart. The forward raced onto a precise pass from Lucas Torreira and calmly chipped the advancing Felipe to put Galatasaray 1-0 ahead.
However, the champions’ lead lasted just six minutes before Çorum responded through Alexandros Kyziridis, who produced a stunning long-range effort to level the scores.
The visitors then completed a remarkable turnaround two minutes later when Jesús Ramírez capitalised on a defensive mistake from Davinson Sánchez to make it 2-1.
Galatasaray were handed a boost in the 70th minute when Kyziridis was shown a red card following a reckless challenge on Yunus Akgün, leaving Çorum with 10 men.
Okan Buruk responded by introducing İlkay Gündoğan, Eren Elmalı and Kaan Ayhan as Galatasaray pushed for an equaliser.
Their pressure eventually paid off in the 90th minute, with Osimhen once again coming to the rescue. The Nigerian striker rose to meet Gabriel Sara’s corner and powered his header into the bottom-left corner to restore parity.
Galatasaray pressed for a winner during the seven minutes of added time, but Felipe produced several important saves to preserve a point for the newly promoted side.
The 2-2 draw represents a disappointing start for Galatasaray, who entered the season as defending champions and will be expected to challenge for another league title.
Osimhen, however, provided one of the few positives for the Istanbul giants, opening his league campaign with a brace.
Galatasaray will now turn their attention to their next fixture away to another newly promoted side, Erzurumspor, where they will be seeking their first victory of the new season.
