Match report: Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool – Osimhen stars as Lions claim record win

Victor Osimhen delivered another impressive performance as Galatasaray secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at RAMS Park on Tuesday night, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigerian striker played a key role in the only goal of the match. His clever header from a corner created the chance for Mario Lemina, who finished from close range to give the Turkish champions a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg.

Before kick-off, the Galatasaray fans created an emotional moment for Osimhen. A giant banner showing the striker with his daughter and his late mother was displayed in the stands. The tribute moved the Nigerian forward, who lost his mother when he was young.

Victor Osimhen n’a pas pu retenir ses larmes en découvrant le tifo des supporters de Galatasaray pour lui et sa mère ! 🫶🇳🇬

Un moment très émouvant pour l’attaquant nigérian, touché par cet hommage des fans du club turc.pic.twitter.com/Gaw2c2UdVT

— Foot Mercato (@footmercato) March 10, 2026

The match began at a very fast pace. Liverpool started strongly and looked dangerous in the early minutes. They forced Galatasaray into a few mistakes in defence and created chances through Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, but neither player could find the net.

Galatasaray punished them quickly. In the seventh minute, the home side won their first corner of the game. The ball was sent into the box towards Osimhen, who directed a header across goal. Lemina reacted fastest and nodded the ball into the net from close range.

The goal came after just six minutes and 32 seconds, making it the earliest goal Galatasaray have ever scored against Liverpool in Champions League competition.

The game continued to flow from end to end. Osimhen came close to doubling the lead in the opening half hour but headed wide from a good position. He also fired over the bar after a defensive mistake from Ibrahima Konaté gave him a clear sight of goal.

Liverpool’s defence continued to look shaky at times. Davinson Sánchez nearly added a second for Galatasaray when he found space in the penalty area, but his header was well saved by Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Both sides had a few more half-chances before the break, yet the score remained 1-0 at half-time.

Liverpool push hard but Galatasaray hold firm

The second half began with both teams eager to attack. Liverpool were the first to test the goalkeeper when Dominik Szoboszlai struck a powerful shot from outside the box, but Galatasaray keeper Uğurcan Çakır pushed the ball away with an excellent save.

Liverpool’s best opportunity came in the 65th minute. Hugo Ekitiké was played through on goal and looked certain to score, but Çakır produced a brilliant stop to keep Galatasaray ahead.

The English side thought they had finally equalised when they scored from a corner kick later in the half. However, after checking the situation, the referee ruled the goal out because of a handball earlier in the move.

Liverpool continued to attack and spent long periods in Galatasaray’s half. The Turkish side had to defend carefully as wave after wave of pressure came from the visitors.

Late in the match, Osimhen nearly sealed the victory himself when he fired a powerful shot from a tight angle. Mamardashvili managed to push the ball away, and Galatasaray could not convert the rebound.

The Nigerian forward remained a constant threat. He also won an important corner kick near the end and showed good strength when he held off a defender during another attack.

Despite Liverpool’s late pressure, Galatasaray stayed organised in defence and protected their narrow lead until the final whistle.

The victory is historic for the Turkish champions. It means Galatasaray have now beaten Liverpool twice at different stages in the same Champions League campaign, something no other club has managed before.

Earlier in the tournament, the Lions also defeated Liverpool 1-0 at RAMS Park during the group stage, with Osimhen scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot.

The two teams will meet again next week at Anfield for the second leg. Galatasaray now know that avoiding defeat in England will be enough to send them into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.