Victor Osimhen converted an early penalty to secure a 1-0 victory for Galatasaray against a Liverpool side plagued by errors and injuries to key players Alisson and Hugo Ekitike in a lively Champions League encounter in Istanbul.
The Nigerian forward, wearing a protective mask, confidently sent the ball past a diving Alisson in the 16th minute after Baris Alper Yilmaz was fouled by Dominik Szoboszlai, who inadvertently struck him in the face.
Liverpool adjusted their lineup following a recent league loss to Crystal Palace, resting Mohamed Salah and record signing Alexander Isak on the bench. Both were introduced in the 62nd minute, with Salah replacing Jeremie Frimpong on the right wing. This substitution came shortly after goalkeeper Alisson was forced off due to injury, with Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in at the 56th minute.
Ekitike, returning from suspension and starting the match, was substituted in the 68th minute after sustaining an injury, marking a tough night for the visitors who, despite creating opportunities, appeared defensively fragile.
This triumph marked Galatasaray’s first home Champions League win in seven years and was particularly significant as it handed Liverpool their second consecutive defeat, ending their unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Galatasaray nearly took the lead early on in the second minute when Yilmaz caught Liverpool’s defense off guard and faced Alisson one-on-one, but the goalkeeper stood firm to deny the chance.
Liverpool responded with a promising opportunity in the 13th minute, but Ekitike mishit his shot, and although Cody Gakpo’s follow-up was cleared off the line, the visitors soon found themselves trailing after Osimhen’s penalty ignited the passionate home crowd.
The Reds had a chance to level in the 32nd minute, with Ekitike’s shot blocked and Ibrahima Konate missing a close-range effort, yet defensive lapses persisted, culminating in a dangerous free kick conceded just before halftime.
The second half saw numerous substitutions but little shift in momentum, with Liverpool’s defense remaining unsettled and Galatasaray maintaining relentless pressure through sustained possession and incisive passing.
Alisson’s injury occurred after a save from Osimhen, and shortly after, Ekitike also left the field due to discomfort while stretching for the ball.
In the 88th minute, Liverpool appeared to have earned a penalty, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned as Wilfried Singo was deemed to have played the ball before Ibrahima Konate.
Galatasaray supporters prominently displayed banners condemning the conflict in Gaza at both ends of the stadium, and a tribute was paid to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva prior to kickoff.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, expressed his disappointment with the outcome but defended Szoboszlai, insisting the penalty call was harsh. “Yilmaz felt a slight contact to his face and went down. Sometimes these moments catch us off guard. I can’t fault Dom in that situation,” he told Amazon Prime.
Captain Virgil Van Dijk urged calm despite the loss, emphasizing the need to eliminate mistakes. “Losing is tough, but panic isn’t the answer. We must improve,” he said. “Tonight showed a marked increase in effort compared to the weekend. Now, we have to finish our chances and avoid careless errors. It’s a process, and we must keep pushing forward.”
Elsewhere in the Champions League, Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick and Harry Kane scored twice as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich secured commanding victories over debutant teams. Madrid dominated Kairat Almaty 5-0 in Kazakhstan, while Bayern cruised to a 5-1 win against Pafos in Cyprus.
Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt in the first-ever Champions League match held inside the Arctic Circle, thanks to a late own goal in the 89th minute.
Atletico Madrid overwhelmed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1, with coach Diego Simeone watching from the stands due to suspension following an incident with a Liverpool fan in their previous Champions League fixture.
Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with Benfica, blowing kisses to Chelsea fans. Although Benfica scored, an own goal by Richard Rios sealed a 1-0 victory for Chelsea, who saw Joao Pedro sent off late in the match.
Marseille delivered a 4-0 thrashing of Ajax, while Lautaro Martinez’s brace helped Inter Milan to a 3-0 home win over Slavia Prague.
