Galatasaray 3-2 Tottenham (November 7, 2024) Match analysis

Tottenham Hotspur’s perfect Europa League start ended with a 3-2 defeat 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 shot across goal to give Lankshear the lead from a simple throw-in.

Radu Dragusin was caught napping in defense in the 31st minute and dispossessed by Mauro Icardi. The ball fell to Dries Mertens, who played a pass to Osimhen and the Nigerian striker shot into the bottom corner for the first time.

Six minutes before half-time, Osimhen struck again. Mertens floated the ball into the penalty area and between two defenders, the striker parried a volley past the goalkeeper just outside the six-yard box.

Lankshear received his second yellow card in seven minutes on the hour mark, but ten-man Tottenham equalized nine minutes later when substitute Dominic Solanke backheeled Pedro Porro’s cross into the net.

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