Galatasaray claimed a valuable 1-0 home win over Liverpool on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie, taking a narrow advantage into the return match at Anfield after a composed and energetic display in Istanbul. Mario Lemina scored the only goal of the game, finishing off an early set-piece move that gave the Turkish champions the edge on a charged European night.
The decisive moment came in the seventh minute. From a corner, Victor Osimhen redirected the ball back across goal, and Lemina met it with a diving header from close range to beat the Liverpool goalkeeper. The early breakthrough lifted the home crowd and gave Galatasaray the platform to play with discipline and confidence for the rest of the evening.
Liverpool struggled to settle for long periods and never fully controlled the tempo of the match. Galatasaray looked the sharper side in the opening stages and continued to threaten, with Osimhen having another effort ruled out for offside. Liverpool thought they had found a way back, but a potential equaliser was disallowed after a VAR review for handball, leaving Arne Slot’s side frustrated at the final whistle.
The English side did create chances of their own, but Galatasaray’s defensive work and goalkeeping held firm. Reuters reported that goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır made an important late save to deny Hugo Ekitike, preserving the clean sheet and ensuring the hosts would take their lead into the second leg. The result also continued Galatasaray’s impressive European run after they came through the playoff round to reach the last 16.
For Liverpool, the defeat leaves the tie finely balanced rather than out of reach. For Galatasaray, however, it was another statement result against elite opposition and one that will strengthen belief that they can finish the job away from home. The first leg suggested this contest may still have twists to come, but on the night in Istanbul, Galatasaray were deserved winners
