A single moment of brilliance from Victor Osimhen proved enough for Galatasaray to shock Liverpool 1–0 in a dramatic UEFA Champions League clash at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium on Tuesday.
The Nigerian forward, calm under deafening pressure, converted from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after Baris Alper Yilmaz was brought down in the box by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai. Referee Clément Turpin pointed straight to the spot, and Osimhen buried the chance with trademark composure, sending goalkeeper Alisson the wrong way and the home fans into a frenzy.
The strike carried more weight than just three points — it marked Galatasaray’s first home victory in the Champions League in seven years, reigniting belief that the Istanbul giants can once again make their fortress unbreachable.
Liverpool dominated possession but lacked ruthlessness in the final third. Hugo Ekitike wasted a golden chance in the opening minutes, Cody Gakpo was denied by a goal-line clearance, and Mohamed Salah struggled to find space against a resilient Turkish defence.
The night worsened for the visitors when Alisson was forced off injured after a superb save, replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili. Ekitike also limped out of the second half, deepening manager Arne Slot’s injury woes.
Tension peaked late on when Liverpool thought they had a lifeline: referee Turpin awarded a penalty after Ibrahima Konaté went down in the area. But after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned — Wilfried Singo was adjudged to have cleanly played the ball before any contact.
Galatasaray’s coach hailed his side’s discipline and ability to seize the moment. “We showed resilience and belief. Nights like this prove what this team is capable of,” he said after the final whistle.
For Liverpool, it was a bitter second consecutive defeat that exposed fragilities in both squad depth and concentration. Manager Arne Slot admitted the result was “painful,” pointing to the injuries and wasted chances that sealed their fate.
With Alisson expected to miss the upcoming Premier League showdown against Chelsea, questions loom over Liverpool’s readiness for the critical weeks ahead. For Galatasaray, however, the night belonged to Osimhen — the man who turned Istanbul into a fortress once again.
