Galatasaray 3-2 Tottenham (7 Nov 2024) Match Analysis

Tottenham Hotspur’s perfect Europa League start ended when they lost 3-2 at Galatasaray on Thursday, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice for the hosts and Will Lankshear scoring his first goal for Spurs but also being sent off.

Yunus Akgun gave Galatasaray the lead in the sixth minute with a stunning half-volley from distance, but Spurs equalized 12 minutes later when Brennan Johnson’s break across goal left Lankshear with a simple tap-in.

Radu Dragusin was caught napping at the back in the 31st minute and was denied by Mauro Icardi. The ball fell to Dries Mertens, who slipped a pass to Osimhen, and the Nigerian striker fired first-time into the bottom corner.

Osimhen struck again six minutes from the break. Mertens floated a ball into the area and between two defenders, the forward deflected a volley past the goalkeeper just outside the six-yard box.

Lankshear picked up his second booking seven minutes after the hour mark, but 10-man Tottenham pulled a goal back nine minutes later when substitute Dominic Solanke headed Pedro Porro’s cross into the net.

The visitors pushed for an equalizer but the defeat, after winning their first three matches, left them on nine points, one behind unbeaten Galatasaray.