Victor Osimhen in Galatasaray colours (file photo, 30 Sept 2025). Photo: Ottomanor / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
He came back to the city where his European career took off, scored the goal that killed the game, and then refused to celebrate. Victor Osimhen gave Galatasaray their first points of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase on Wednesday night as the Turkish champions won 4-2 at Lille's Decathlon Arena (Stade Pierre-Mauroy). He did it with a gesture that quickly had fans talking.
Key points
- Galatasaray won 4-2 at Lille on October 21, 2026, their first points of the league phase.
- Victor Osimhen scored the fourth goal and did not celebrate against his former club.
- Lille's Soriba Diaoune, 19, scored twice.
- Lille have lost all three league-phase games and have no points.
Lille 2-4 Galatasaray: Match Recap
The six goals came in under an hour. Galatasaray scored after about 65 seconds and Lille came back twice in the first half. The hosts then gave the game away after the break.
Goals
- 2' Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray), 0-1. Barış Alper Yılmaz crossed and Alexsandro's half-clearance fell to Akgün.
- 7' Soriba Diaoune (Lille), 1-1. Assisted by Alexsandro. The 19-year-old rounded Uğurcan Çakır.
- 39' Soriba Diaoune (Lille), 2-1. Hákon Arnar Haraldsson set him up after Çakır parried a shot from Dilane Bakwa.
- 44' Aleksey Batrakov (Galatasaray), 2-2. An unmarked header from Roland Sallai's cross.
- 52' Berke Özer own goal (Lille), 2-3. Lucas Torreira glanced on Gabriel Sara's corner. The goal was first credited to Torreira and later recorded as an own goal.
- 61' Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), 2-4. He exchanged passes with Barış Alper Yılmaz and finished past Özer.
Before Lille's second goal, Galatasaray had a penalty for a challenge on Osimhen. Referee Rade Obrenović overturned it after a VAR review showed Özer had won the ball. Osimhen also had a second goal ruled out for offside in the 69th minute.
Osimhen's Respectful Moment
Osimhen played for Lille in 2019-20 before his move to Napoli. When his 61st-minute strike went in, he did not celebrate. Instead he raised his arms to acknowledge his former club, according to Türkiye Today. Lille supporters gave him a warm ovation when he was substituted in the 84th minute, and he applauded them back.
Key Players
- Victor Osimhen: Scored the decisive goal, won the penalty that VAR later cancelled, and had a goal disallowed.
- Aleksey Batrakov: The Galatasaray midfielder headed the equaliser just before half-time and started the move for Osimhen's goal.
- Soriba Diaoune: The teenager scored twice and was Lille's bright spot.
- Yunus Akgün: Scored the early opener.
What It Means in the League Phase
Galatasaray had lost 3-1 to Sporting CP and 4-1 to Barcelona, and had lost three Champions League games in a row before tonight. This win gives Okan Buruk's side their first 3 points after three matchdays. It also ends a run of four European away games against French teams without scoring.
Lille have now lost all three games and have no points. Davide Ancelotti's side has lost five major European matches in a row, the club's worst such run. Lille had only lost their first three Champions League games once before, in 2012-13.
Fan Reaction
On social media, Osimhen and Batrakov are among the most talked-about names. Many fans are praising the striker for not celebrating against his old club. In the stadium, the home crowd's ovation when he was substituted showed how Lille still sees him.
Why it matters
The win keeps Galatasaray's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive after three straight Champions League defeats. For Lille, it deepens a worrying run in Europe. And Osimhen's gesture toward his old club was a reminder of the respect that still exists between players and the fans who saw them grow.
FAQ
What was the final score of Lille vs Galatasaray?
Galatasaray won 4-2 at the Decathlon Arena on October 21, 2026.
Who scored for Galatasaray?
Yunus Akgün (2'), Aleksey Batrakov (44') and Victor Osimhen (61'), plus a Berke Özer own goal (52').
Who scored for Lille?
Soriba Diaoune scored both goals (7', 39').
Why didn't Osimhen celebrate?
He played for Lille in 2019-20 and chose to acknowledge his former club instead of celebrating.
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