In a commanding performance at Istanbul’s Rams Park, Galatasaray seized control of Group H in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Norway’s Bodø/Glimt. The Turkish side, buoyed by home support and attacking firepower, punished a series of defensive lapses by the visitors and ensured they moved onto six points from three matches, while Bodø/Glimt remain mired on just two points.
From the opening whistle, Galatasaray showed they meant business. Their marquee striker Victor Osimhen wasted scarcely any time in registering his influence, pouncing in the third minute after a loose ball in midfield gifted the home side a chance which he clinically converted.
The early goal came as Bodø/Glimt’s midfield failed to consolidate a clearance and the flow of possession immediately switched in Galatasaray’s favour.
At that point it seemed the game might be over before it had even truly begun for the Norwegian visitors. Galatasaray, instilled with confidence from a famous previous win over Liverpool, looked determined to build momentum and avoid a repeat of their earlier heavy defeat away in the group.
The early strike set the tone: the hosts kept the press high, cut off Bodø/Glimt’s rhythm, and leaned into their attacking instincts.
The second goal, arriving on the 33rd minute, again recorded Osimhen’s name on the scoresheet and was a vivid illustration of Bodø/Glimt’s frailties. A poor pass by left-back Fredrik Bjorkan handed Osimhen a central position from which he made no mistake.
Suddenly it was 2-0, and the momentum was completely with Galatasaray. Bodø/Glimt, who had arrived in Istanbul unbeaten in Europe’s group phase but with only draws to show so far, found themselves under severe pressure and struggling to impose their game.
At this stage, the Turkish giants’ plans were clear. They had sought to assert dominance early, exploit mistakes, and ensure that they didn’t allow Bodø/Glimt to settle.
Coach Okan Buruk had emphasised the need for a swift start given how important the fixture was to securing continental momentum. And the game followed the script perfectly.
Yet the second half provided its own narrative twist. With the game still relatively open, Galatasaray didn’t ease off, and their third goal came around the hour mark, at the 60th minute, when Osimhen again engineered chaos in the defence, pressured the back line, and created the opportunity for Yunus Akgün to finish at the second attempt and make it 3-0.
At this point, the outcome was effectively sealed. Although Bodø/Glimt mustered moments of attacking intent, the gulf in incisiveness proved decisive.
Even so, the Norwegian side found a measure of consolation. In the 76th minute, substitute Andreas Helmersen pulled one back with a close-range header, giving Bodø/Glimt hope and ensuring the scoreline did not fully reflect a total rout.
But at 3-1 down away from home and having conceded early, their task of clawing back was always going to be relentlessly steep.
Galatasaray’s performance delivered on multiple fronts. They showed ruthless quality in front of goal, the capacity to press and force errors, and, perhaps most importantly, a determination to begin quick and finish strong.
Osimhen’s double underlined his importance and his capacity to deliver on the big stage. Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt’s campaign took a step back. Although they had entered the night unbeaten in Europe, this defeat exposed vulnerabilities that richer clubs will look to exploit.
For Bodø/Glimt, the mistakes proved costly. Two turnovers directly led to goals in that first half, and the pressure never truly let up. Their early draws might have masked underlying issues in their discipline or defensive structure, and against a side of Galatasaray’s calibre at home those issues were ruthlessly punished.
From a tactical perspective, Galatasaray’s approach made sense. By dominating the midfield transitions early, they prevented Bodø/Glimt from building their customary attacking rhythm, which often features quick transitions and wide movement.