Former Chelsea captain Andy Townsend has lauded Victor Osimhen for his match-saving goal in the first half of extra time during Galatasaray's 3-2 loss to Juventus in a UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff in Turin on Wednesday night, highlighting how the Nigerian forward rescued the Turkish champions under intense pressure.

Juventus had been reduced to ten men for much of the match following the controversial dismissal of Lloyd Kelly, but Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie all scored to force the game into an additional thirty minutes.

Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Osimhen broke free from Federico Gatti and calmly slotted the ball through goalkeeper Mattia Perin's legs, giving Galatasaray a decisive advantage over two legs. 

The drama continued in the 119th minute when Barış Alper Yılmaz struck to seal Galatasaray's progression to the round of 16.

Osimhen was named Player of the Match, with UEFA's Technical Observer Group praising his focus and determination in netting a goal that helped to secure qualification despite Juventus’ dominance.