Catch up with all the action from Galatasaray vs Liverpool in the Champions League
Galatasaray claimed a narrow but potentially crucial 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with Mario Lemina’s early header proving the difference in Istanbul.
Liverpool started brightly and nearly took the lead inside two minutes when Florian Wirtz pounced on a loose pass on the edge of the box, but his first-time effort drifted just wide of the post.
Despite the early pressure from the visitors, it was Galatasaray who struck first in the seventh minute.
Gabriel Sara delivered a corner into the six-yard area where Victor Osimhen rose highest to flick the ball on. Lemina reacted quickest and nodded home from close range, punishing Liverpool’s slow reaction and continuing their struggles defending set-pieces.
The goal did little to slow the pace of the game. Liverpool responded with a series of chances as Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wirtz all tested the Galatasaray defence, but goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir was in top form.
Wirtz was denied from close range after neat build-up play, while Mac Allister dragged a promising opportunity wide.
Galatasaray remained dangerous going forward, particularly through Osimhen. The Nigerian forward threatened again midway through the half and later saw a powerful effort sail over the crossbar after Liverpool failed to clear a cross.
Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also produced several important saves, including a sharp stop to deny former Tottenham man Davinson Sanchez’s header.
Second-half pressure not enough
Liverpool emerged after the interval with greater urgency and quickly created opportunities. Szoboszlai forced a save from Cakir with a powerful strike from outside the area, before Mac Allister missed another chance after a long throw caused problems inside the box.
The pressure continued to build as Liverpool dominated possession, but Galatasaray threatened on the counter. Osimhen thought he had doubled the lead just after the hour mark after capitalising on defensive chaos in the Reds’ backline, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Liverpool then believed they had found an equaliser when a corner bounced around the six-yard box and crossed the line, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review for handball against Ibrahima Konate.
Chances continued to arrive for the visitors in the closing stages. Cakir produced another strong save to deny Hugo Ekitike after a defensive mistake, while Cody Gakpo helped create further pressure down the left. Ekitike later headed Szoboszlai’s cross over the bar as Liverpool’s frustration grew.
Galatasaray still carried a threat late on and nearly sealed the win when Baris Alper Yilmaz set up Gabriel Sara at the back post, but his effort struck the side netting.
Liverpool’s final opportunity came in stoppage time when Gakpo fired a low shot narrowly wide of the near post.
The Premier League side have left themselves work to do in the return leg at Anfield next week, if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
