By Sports Desk
Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty sealed a famous 1-0 victory for Galatasaray over an error-prone Liverpool in a fiery UEFA Champions League encounter in Istanbul on Tuesday night.
The Nigerian striker, wearing a protective mask, rifled his spot-kick past Alisson in the 16th minute after Baris Alper Yilmaz went down under contact from Dominik Szoboszlai. The goal sent the raucous home crowd into eruption and ultimately proved decisive in a bruising contest.
Injuries and Missed Chances
Liverpool endured a nightmare evening, losing goalkeeper Alisson to injury in the 56th minute and striker Hugo Ekitike just 12 minutes later. The visitors created openings but failed to convert: Ekitike miscued an early effort, Cody Gakpo saw a rebound cleared off the line, and Ibrahima Konate wasted a close-range chance before half-time.
Galatasaray, who had not won a Champions League home match in seven years, could have led inside two minutes when Yilmaz broke clear, only for Alisson to block. But once Osimhen converted from the spot, the Turkish champions never looked back, pressing high and unsettling Liverpool’s shaky defence.
The visitors thought they had a late lifeline in the 88th minute when referee Clement Turpin awarded a penalty. However, VAR overturned the decision, ruling that Wilfried Singo had reached the ball before Konate.
Fans and Tributes
The intense atmosphere was amplified by Galatasaray supporters, who unfurled banners protesting Israel’s war on Gaza. Before kick-off, there was also a tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot voiced frustration at the penalty decision but defended Szoboszlai.
“[Yilmaz] felt a little flick in his face, and he fell down. We are sometimes a bit outsmarted in situations like this,” Slot said. “I cannot blame Dom in a situation like this.”
Captain Virgil van Dijk urged calm but admitted errors were costly.
“I hate losing, but there shouldn’t be panic,” he said. “We have to convert chances and not make stupid mistakes. It’s a process, and we have to keep going.”
Elsewhere in Europe
Real Madrid showed no fatigue on their long trip to Kazakhstan, thrashing Kairat Almaty 5-0.
Bayern Munich cruised to a 5-1 victory over Pafos in Cyprus.
Tottenham Hotspur rescued a 2-2 draw at Bodo/Glimt thanks to an 89th-minute own goal, in the first Champions League game played inside the Arctic Circle.
Atletico Madrid crushed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1, with coach Diego Simeone watching from the stands due to suspension.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea edged Benfica 1-0 courtesy of an own goal from Richard Rios, despite Joao Pedro’s late red card. Jose Mourinho, returning with Benfica, blew a kiss to Blues supporters.
Marseille dominated Ajax 4-0 in France.
Inter Milan beat Slavia Prague 3-0, led by a Lautaro Martinez brace.
