Victor Osimhen cemented his place in Turkish football history by netting a brace in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor to lift the Turkish Cup on Wednesday night at Gaziantep Stadium, thereby setting a new benchmark as the highest-scoring foreign player in a single Turkish season with 35 goals in 38 appearances. His two decisive strikes—in the 46th and 63rd minutes—surpassed Mario Jardel’s 24-year-old record of 34 goals from the 2000/01 campaign. Galatasaray had taken an early lead through Barış Alper Yılmaz’s fifth-minute finish, laying the groundwork for Osimhen’s historic night. The victory secured Galatasaray’s 19th Turkish Cup title, further extending their dominance in the competition. With this achievement, Osimhen moves into the upper echelons of Galatasaray’s all-time foreign goalscorers, closing in on Gheorghe Hagi’s club record of 72.
Galatasaray wasted no time asserting control. Barış Alper Yılmaz converted a slick team move after just five minutes, cutting in from the left and slotting home a low finish. Trabzonspor threatened sporadically, but Osimhen and his teammates maintained composure, repelling pressure until halftime.
Osimhen opened his account almost immediately after the break, timing his run to meet Yunus Akgün’s threaded pass and coolly dispatching a low shot past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. His second arrived in the 63rd minute, when Arda Güler’s recycled corner found Akgün on the flank, whose cross was expertly controlled and curled into the top corner by Osimhen. From that point on, Galatasaray managed the game with authority, preserving a clean sheet and their grip on the trophy.
Osimhen entered the final with 33 goals and needed two to eclipse Jardel’s long-standing mark . By registering his 34th and 35th strikes, the Nigerian forward not only broke Jardel’s record but also became the first foreign player in Turkish football to reach the 35-goal milestone in a single season. His 35 goals in 38 matches underline a debut season in Turkey that has rewritten expectations for overseas talent in the Süper Lig.
With the Turkish Cup secured, Galatasaray will now aim for a domestic double, needing just one more win against Kayserispor to clinch their 25th Süper Lig title—an aspiration that would match their last double in 1998/99 . Osimhen’s tally also propels him up the club’s foreign scoring charts, where only Gheorghe Hagi’s legendary 72 goals stand above him .
Osimhen’s exploits have galvanized fans across Turkey and Nigeria alike, elevating the profile of African forwards in European competitions . His record-breaking season reflects both individual brilliance and Galatasaray’s unwavering support, as the club continues to strengthen its standing among Europe’s historic football institution