Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored twice for Galatasaray against Fenerbahçe on Monday, 26 October 2026, producing a memorable display that recalled former midfielder Wesley Sneijder’s performance in the Istanbul derby 12 years earlier.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful left-footed finish after controlling the ball, before adding a second goal with a header in the 44th minute to extend Galatasaray’s advantage before half-time.
The brace strengthened Osimhen’s place among the notable performers in the rivalry between the two Turkish clubs and drew comparisons with Sneijder, who also scored twice against Fenerbahçe in October 2014.
The Dutchman’s goals secured a 2-1 victory for Galatasaray on 18 October that year, with both strikes coming late in the match.
Osimhen’s performance on Monday was highlighted by his opening goal, which began with an accomplished first touch before he drove a precise shot into the net. His second effort demonstrated a different aspect of his attacking threat, as he used his head to score shortly before the interval.
The Nigerian international’s contribution gave Galatasaray a significant advantage in one of Turkish football’s most fiercely contested fixtures.
Osimhen follows in Sneijder’s footsteps
The comparison between Osimhen and Sneijder stems from their ability to score twice against Galatasaray’s historic rivals in high-profile league encounters.
Sneijder produced his double in 2014, helping Galatasaray overcome Fenerbahçe 2-1. Osimhen’s two goals in the October 2026 meeting have now placed his performance alongside that earlier display as another notable moment in the derby’s history.
There is also a connection between the two matches through Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal, who was in charge of the club for both encounters.
Kartal was in the Fenerbahçe dugout when Sneijder scored his two goals in 2014 and was again overseeing the team during Osimhen’s double in October 2026.
That shared detail adds another link between the performances, although the claim that Osimhen is the second player to score against a team coached by Kartal in the Süper Lig requires further statistical confirmation.
A memorable display for Galatasaray
Osimhen’s opening strike was among the defining moments of the latest derby. After bringing the ball under control, the forward created the opportunity to shoot with his left foot and finished powerfully in the 29th minute.
He then found the net again five minutes before half-time, using a header to give Galatasaray a second goal in the contest.
The two finishes illustrated the striker’s ability to threaten opponents in different ways, combining technical control and shooting power with his aerial presence.
Footage of the opening goal was also shared by beIN SPORTS Türkiye on social media on 26 October, drawing attention to the sequence of Osimhen’s first touch and finish.
The performance adds another chapter to the long-running rivalry between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, with Osimhen producing a double that inevitably brought back memories of Sneijder’s contribution in 2014.
While the historical comparison is clear in terms of the two-goal performances and Kartal’s involvement, further statistical evidence would be needed to establish the wider record involving players who have scored against teams managed by the Fenerbahçe coach.
For Galatasaray, Osimhen’s two goals provided the central talking point of the derby, with his precise left-footed opener and subsequent header marking an influential contribution against their Istanbul rivals.
