- Victor Osimhen scored from the spot as Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0.
- Liverpool lost goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike to injuries.
- The defeat handed Liverpool back-to-back losses after an unbeaten run.
- Galatasaray celebrated their first home Champions League win in seven years.
- Other big wins on the night: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Atletico, Inter, and Marseille.
Victor Osimhen delivered the only goal of the game as Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 in a heated Champions League clash in Istanbul. The Nigerian forward, playing with a protective mask, smashed home a penalty in the 16th minute after Baris Alper Yilmaz was fouled by Dominik Szoboszlai.
Before falling behind, Liverpool had a chance to score through Hugo Ekitike, but he failed to convert. Cody Gakpo’s rebound was also cleared off the line. Seconds later, Galatasaray punished them, sending the home crowd into wild celebration.
Liverpool had more opportunities, with Ibrahima Konate going close, but their defence looked shaky and mistakes kept creeping in.
The night got worse for the visitors. Alisson was forced off injured in the 56th minute, and Ekitike followed him 12 minutes later. Their replacements struggled to change the game.
Liverpool thought they had a late lifeline when awarded a penalty in the 88th minute, but VAR overturned the decision after Wilfried Singo was judged to have touched the ball before Konate.
The result gave the Turkish giants their first home Champions League win in seven years. The fans also used the game to display banners against Israel’s war in Gaza, while a tribute was held for the late Diogo Jota and his brother before kickoff.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot felt his team had been “outsmarted” by Yilmaz in the penalty incident, insisting Szoboszlai did little wrong. Captain Virgil van Dijk admitted the mistakes were costly but urged calm.
“I hate losing, but there shouldn’t be panic,” he said. “We must improve, take our chances, and avoid silly errors.”
Elsewhere in Europe
Real Madrid crushed Kairat Almaty 5-0 in Kazakhstan. Bayern Munich outclassed Pafos 5-1 in Cyprus. Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bodo/Glimt, thanks to a late own goal. Atletico Madrid thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 with Diego Simeone watching from the stands. Chelsea edged Benfica 1-0 at Stamford Bridge through a Richard Rios own goal, despite Joao Pedro’s red card. Marseille hammered Ajax 4-0, while Inter Milan beat Slavia Prague 3-0 with a Lautaro Martinez brace.
