Galatasaray came from behind to defeat Lille 4–2 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Victor Osimhen scoring after the Turkish side weathered a frantic first half at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The visitors took the lead after just two minutes through Yunus Akgün, but Lille responded with two goals from Soriba Diaoune to turn the contest around.
Aleksey Batrakov restored parity before half-time, however, before a second-half own goal and Osimhen’s finish gave Galatasaray control of a match that had swung repeatedly between the sides.
The result also ended Galatasaray’s five-match losing run away from home in the Champions League, giving them a significant lift in the league phase after their previous European setback.
Galatasaray needed only two minutes to expose Lille’s defensive uncertainty. Barış Alper Yılmaz’s delivery caused problems in the home penalty area, and after Alexsandro failed to clear convincingly, Akgün collected the loose ball and fired home to put the visitors ahead.
Lille’s response was swift, Alexsandro made amends for his earlier error by splitting the defence with a precise pass in the seventh minute, releasing Diaoune into space. The forward got beyond the last line, rounded goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır and finished into the unguarded net to make it 1–1.
Both teams continued to find openings as the first half developed, with the match becoming an increasingly open contest.
Victor Osimhen missed a chance to restore Galatasaray’s lead when he shot wide from inside the box, while Lille threatened through Dilane Bakwa and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson.
Galatasaray appeared to have been handed an opportunity to move ahead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after goalkeeper Berke Özer collided with Osimhen. However, referee Rade Obrenović overturned the decision following a VAR review, leaving the score unchanged.
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Lille completed their turnaround in the 39th minute. Haraldsson found Diaoune inside the box, and the forward took his opportunity with a first-time finish into the top-right corner to make it 2–1.
The hosts could not carry that advantage into the interval. Roland Sallai delivered a cross from the right in the 44th minute, finding Batrakov unmarked close to goal. The Galatasaray attacker headed home from close range to level the score at 2–2.
After a first half in which both sides had taken turns leading, the equaliser gave the visitors renewed momentum heading into the break.
Own goal and Osimhen finish turn the game
Galatasaray regained the lead seven minutes into the second half through a corner that ended in misfortune for Lille. Gabriel Sara delivered the set piece, and Lucas Torreira’s touch at the near post helped create the danger before the ball went into the net off Özer for an own goal. The visitors were back in front at 3–2.
The decisive moment followed in the 61st minute. Galatasaray broke quickly, with Barış Alper Yılmaz providing the pass for Osimhen, who struck a first-time effort from range beyond Özer to extend the lead to 4–2.
The Nigeria international’s finish gave Galatasaray breathing room after a contest in which their advantage had repeatedly been threatened. He was withdrawn in the 84th minute, with Deniz Gül coming on as the visitors looked to protect their lead.
Lille continued searching for a way back. Maurits Kjærgaard sent a volley narrowly wide, while Gaëtan Perrin had an effort blocked late on. But Galatasaray’s defence held firm through the closing stages, and the hosts could not find another goal.
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