Galatasaray stunned Liverpool with a gritty 1–0 win at Rams Park, thanks to a decisive first-half penalty from Victor Osimhen. The result marks Galatasaray’s first points in this season’s UEFA Champions League and hands Arne Slot’s side their second consecutive defeat across all competitions.
⚽ Osimhen Delivers Again
The breakthrough came in the 16th minute, when Baris Yilmaz was brought down by makeshift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai. Just seconds earlier, Cody Gakpo had seen a shot cleared off the line at the other end, highlighting the chaotic momentum swing.
Osimhen stepped up and made no mistake, blasting his penalty straight down the middle past Alisson Becker. It was his sixth goal in six matches against English opposition, reinforcing his reputation as a Premier League tormentor.
“He’s ice-cold in those moments,” said Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk. “That’s why we brought him here.”
🧠 Liverpool’s Sloppy Night
Liverpool looked disjointed from the start. Alisson was forced into a one-on-one save in the opening minutes, and the midfield struggled to contain Galatasaray’s transitions. Florian Wirtz came closest to equalizing, forcing a diving save from Uğurcan Çakır, but the Reds lacked rhythm and urgency.
The second half brought more frustration. A poor pass from Ibrahima Konaté allowed Osimhen to intercept and race through on goal. Alisson made the save but picked up a game-ending injury, forcing Slot to bring on Giorgi Mamardashvili for his first Champions League appearance.
🔁 Late Push Falls Short
Slot introduced Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Conor Bradley in a triple substitution to chase the game. Liverpool thought they had a lifeline when referee Clément Turpin awarded a late penalty for a foul on Salah, but VAR overturned the decision after reviewing contact with Wilfried Singo.
Despite eight minutes of added time, Liverpool couldn’t break through Galatasaray’s resilient backline. The Turkish side held firm, securing a famous win in front of a raucous home crowd.
📉 Liverpool’s Slide
This defeat follows Liverpool’s first Premier League loss of the season against Crystal Palace, and raises questions about their form heading into a weekend clash with Chelsea. Slot’s side have now failed to win their last three away matches in the Champions League.
“We didn’t deserve more tonight,” Slot admitted. “We were second-best in too many areas.”
📊 Match Summary
| Key Moments | Minute |
|---|---|
| Osimhen (Penalty) | 16' |
| Alisson Injury | 56' |
| Salah Substitution | 62' |
| VAR Overturn (Penalty) | 88' |
| Stat | Liverpool | Galatasaray |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 3 |
| Total Shots | 14 | 8 |
| Fouls | 13 | 17 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
🧠 Final Thoughts
Victor Osimhen’s penalty may have been the headline, but Galatasaray’s collective discipline and defensive grit were the real story. For Liverpool, the loss exposes tactical fragility and raises concerns about squad depth—especially with Alisson and Hugo Ekitike both picking up injuries
Galatasaray, meanwhile, celebrate a landmark win that could reignite their European campaign. And with Osimhen in this form, they’ll believe anything is possible.
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