Henry Onyekuru scores in second straight game as Galatasaray beat Basaksehir
Henry Onyekuru produced a man-of-the-match performance to inspire Galatasaray to a 3-0 win over Medipol Basaksehir in a Turkey Super Lig matchday 23 tie at the Turk Telecom Arena on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international netted The Lions opening goal just before half-time, after the visitors had failed to make the most of a spot kick — with Fernando Muslera saving Giuliano’s penalty.
The on-loan Monaco forward got in front of his marker to thump in a Ryan Donk delivery on the 44th minute, for his third goal in two games, since returning for a third loan spell on January 25.
On 65 minutes, provider Donk turned scorer, heading home a corner kick from Younes Belhanda — who had replaced Onyekuru’s compatriot Oghenekaro Etebo — to double the lead for Fatih Terim’s side.
And just before the end of regulation time, Galatasaray put the game beyond the visitors. Onyekuru cut inside from the left. Mohammed Emin fouled the winger as he tried to stop him, and Mohammed Mostafa converted the resultant penalty to seal victory for the 22-time Super Lig champions.
Now on his third stint at the club, Onyekuru first moved to Galatasaray from Everton on a season-long in the summer of 2018, where he scored 18 goals in 48 games and capped it with the Super Lig and Turkish cup titles.
His second Galatasaray spell came as a six-month loan in the winter of 2020, where he scored just once in 12 games.
Onyekuru, who made nine successful dribbles against Basaksehir – the most in the game – was substituted off by Fatih Terim for Omer Bayram during the second-half injury time.
His international team-mate Etebo, made his 12th appearance and fifth start of the season against the Süper Lig champions.
Due to tactical reasons, he was replaced at the break by Belhanda.
Visitors, Basaksehir, featured former Nigeria under-23 captain and Rio 2016 Olympics bronze medalist, Azubuike Okechukwu.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder starred for 88 minutes and was his side’s best passer with 43 passes, before Aykut Cocaman replaced him with Burundi international, Youssouf Ndayishimiye.