Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen made history on Wednesday night, breaking the record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single Turkish football season and powering Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final.
Osimhen, who entered the match with 33 goals across all competitions, needed two more to surpass the long-standing record of 34 goals set by Brazil’s Mario Jardel in the 2000/01 season. The 25-year-old delivered in style, scoring in the 46th and 63rd minutes to reach 35 goals and help Galatasaray secure their 19th Turkish Cup title — the most by any club in the country.
The scoring began early when Baris Yilmaz found the net in the 5th minute following a precise assist from Yunus Akgun. But the night truly belonged to Osimhen.
Just one minute into the second half, Osimhen fired in a powerful low strike from the edge of the area to double Galatasaray’s lead. Seventeen minutes later, he sealed the win with a stunning solo effort, turning sharply inside the box and curling the ball into the top corner.
With the brace, Osimhen not only broke Jardel’s record but also leapfrogged him in Galatasaray’s all-time foreign goalscorers list. The Nigerian now sits at 35 goals in just 38 appearances for the club. Only seven foreign players have scored more, with Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi still leading with 72 goals.
Galatasaray are now on the brink of completing a domestic double. A win over Kayserispor in their final league match on Sunday would hand them their 25th Turkish Super Lig title — and mark their first league-and-cup double since the 1998–99 season.
Osimhen’s record-breaking exploits have further cemented his status as one of the most prolific strikers in European football and a hero among Galatasaray’s faithful.
