By Korede James
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was on target for Galatasaray who were eliminated from this season’s UEFA Europa League after playing a 2-2 draw with AZ Alkmaar in their play-offs second leg clash in Turkey on Thursday.
It was Osimhen’s sixth goal in seven Europa League appearances this term and also his 20th in 25 matches across all competitions.
AZ Alkmaar qualified for the round of 16 6-3 on aggregate.
It was a return to action in the Europa League for Osimhen who missed the first leg last Thursday due to suspension.
Needing to overturn the 4-1 first leg deficit, Galatasaray found themselves 1-0 down on 42 minutes as Seiya Maikuma scored for AZ Alkmaar.
Substitute Denso Kasius made it 2-0 in the 55th minute.
Osimhen then started the comeback, scoring just one minute after AZ Alkmaar’s second goal to make it 2-1.
With 20 minutes left, Roland Sallai equalised for Galatasaray on the night but the Eredivisie outfit held on advance.
In Rome, Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi was an unused substitute for FC Porto who got knocked out after losing 3-2 to AS Roma.
The Italian side went through 4-3 on a aggregate.
Sanusi only made two appearances for Porto in this season’s Europa League.
In other fixtures on Thursday, FCSB beat PAOK 2-0 to qualify 4-1 on aggregate and Bodoe/Glimt defeated FC Twente 5-2 to seal qualification with a 6-4 aggregate win.
RESULTS
Galatasaray 2-2 AZ Alkmaar
(3-6 agg)
AS Roma 3-2 FC Porto
(4-3 agg)
Bodo/Glimt 5-2 Twente
(6-4 agg)
FCSB 2-0 PAOK
(4-1 agg)
