Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray handed Tottenham their first Europa League loss of the season in Istanbul, edging out the 10-man Spurs in a thrilling encounter.
Teenage striker Will Lankshear, who scored his first senior goal for Tottenham, saw red for a second yellow card at the hour mark. By that point, Spurs could have led by a more comfortable margin, yet Galatasaray’s control of the game ensured they came out on top.
Despite the defeat, Ange Postecoglou’s side holds nine points from four games and remains in a favorable position for qualification, though Galatasaray has now jumped ahead in the group standings.
Tottenham’s struggles with playing out from the back and chaotic defense led to a challenging night in Istanbul’s intense atmosphere.
Yunus Akgun opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sending a powerful left-footed volley past Fraser Forster from 20 yards, setting the tone for Galatasaray’s dominance. Lankshear equalized from close range after a pass from Brennan Johnson, yet Tottenham’s defensive lapses continued to hand opportunities to their opponents.
A defensive miscue by Radu Dragusin led to Osimhen’s first goal, with the Napoli loanee reacting quickly to a Dries Mertens pass to slot it past Forster into the right corner. Osimhen’s second goal came from another Mertens assist, as the Nigerian turned in a cross from eight yards out.
Although substitute Dominic Solanke tapped in a Pedro Porro pass nine minutes after Lankshear’s dismissal, Tottenham remained second best throughout. Only wasteful finishing and several excellent saves by Forster prevented Galatasaray from securing a more emphatic scoreline.
Lankshear’s Mixed Night: First Goal and Red Card
Lankshear, who joined Spurs from Sheffield United in 2022 and signed a five-year deal this summer, made the most of his rare first-team chance. His goal, his only touch in Galatasaray’s box, was a well-timed finish, capitalizing on an easy opportunity.
However, after receiving a yellow card for backing into a defender, Lankshear’s night took a turn. A rash challenge on Gabriel Sara, following a loss of possession, led to his second yellow and an early exit.
While Postecoglou may reprimand Lankshear, Tottenham’s broader issues likely warrant a team-wide critique. Many of Galatasaray’s 28 shots resulted from Tottenham’s own errors, and though the visitors improved after the red card, they remained defensively exposed.
