Osimhen inspires Galatasaray to stunning Champions League win over Liverpool

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen delivered a decisive assist as Galatasaray stunned Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff clash on Monday night.

The Turkish champions struck early in the encounter, capitalising on a seventh-minute corner that caught the English side off guard.

Osimhen rose highest inside the box to head the ball back across goal, where midfielder Mario Lemina reacted quickly to glance another header past the goalkeeper and give Galatasaray the lead.

The goal ultimately proved decisive as the hosts defended resolutely to protect their advantage against a Liverpool side that pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the contest.

Liverpool began the match with attacking intent and nearly took the lead in the opening minutes when Florian Wirtz fired narrowly wide.

The visitors continued to threaten through set pieces and long-range efforts, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister both testing the Galatasaray defence.

However, Galatasaray goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır produced several important saves to keep the Turkish side ahead.

Liverpool thought they had drawn level in the 72nd minute when defender Ibrahima Konaté found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review confirmed a handball in the build-up.

Osimhen remained a constant threat for Galatasaray, troubling Liverpool’s backline with his pace and aerial presence. The Nigerian forward even had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the second half.

Liverpool pressed relentlessly in the closing stages, with substitute Cody Gakpo going close with a long-range effort that drifted just wide, but Galatasaray held firm to secure a valuable first-leg victory.

The result gives the Turkish giants a slender advantage ahead of the decisive second leg at Anfield, where Liverpool will need to overturn the deficit to keep their Champions League hopes alive.