Dutch’s Alkmaar End Osimhen’s Dream of Europa Glory with Galatasaray

After the Turkish powerhouses dragged Dutch team AZ Alkmaar to a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the playoff round and were eliminated from the competition, Victor Osimhen's hopes of winning a UEFA Europa League title with Galatasaray dimmed last night.

Alkmaar advanced to the Round of 16 on a 6-3 aggregate after Osimhen and his Galatasaray colleagues were unable to overcome the 4-1 deficit from the first leg.

The Super Eagles striker, who was suspended for two yellow cards and missed the first leg, had vowed that Galatasaray will win that game and advance to the Round of 16.

But rather than the Istanbul squad gaining the lead, Alkmaar took the lead in Turkey 2-0 thanks to a clearance that deflected in off Seiya Maikuma three minutes before halftime and a brilliant long-range goal from Denso Kasius ten minutes after the interval.

However, Roland Sallai gave Galatasaray hope of redemption by equalizing in the 70th minute after Osimhen had brought back a goal in the 56th.

Galatasaray's attempts to raise the score were unsuccessful since the Dutch team stopped them at every turn. The hosts needed three more goals to force extra time.

Along with his colleagues, Osimhen, who scored five goals in the Europa League, will now focus on Monday's "The Intercontinental Derby" against fierce city rivals Fenerbache. After 23 games, Galatasaray leads its opponents at the top of the standings by six points.

In contrast, AZ Alkmaar will play either Tottenham or Manchester United in the Europa League's round of 16. The final 16 draw is scheduled for this Friday at 12:00 GMT.

Paulo Dybala scored twice as Roma rallied to defeat Porto in an exciting match yesterday night in the Europa League playoffs, guaranteeing their spot in the competition's round of 16.

Yesterday's second leg was still up in the air after the first leg between two of the competition's favorites in the knockout round play-off finished in a 1-1 stalemate.

Samu Aghehowa gave Porto the lead with a spectacular overhead kick in the 27th minute, but Dybala's exquisite finish into the bottom corner gave Roma the equalizer eight minutes later.

Four minutes later, the Italians took the lead thanks to a well-executed effort from the Argentine striker, who was on the scoresheet once more.

After a review by the visual assistant referee (VAR), Stephen Eustaquio was sent off for Porto six minutes into the second half for slapping out at Leandro Paredes, however the judgment appeared excessive.

AS Roma 3-2 Porto

(Aggregate 4-3)

Bodo/Glimt 5-2 Twente

(Aggregate 6-4)

FCSB 2-0 PAOK

(Aggregate 4-1)

Galatasaray 2-2 Alkmaar

(Aggregate 3-6)