Champions League – Lemina scores as Liverpool lose 0-1 to Galatasaray

The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 saw Liverpool, playing away, concede a goal in the first half but have a second-half goal disallowed, ultimately losing 0-1 to Turkish side Galatasaray.

Two minutes into the match, Galatasaray made a mistake, allowing Wirtz to gain possession outside the penalty area and unleash a long-range shot, but the ball went wide. Shortly after, Liverpool launched an attack, with Szoboszlai receiving a pass from Salah and taking a shot, but it was blocked.

In the 7th minute, Gabriel Sala took a corner kick, Osimhen headed the ball across, and Lemina then headed it in from close range, giving Galatasaray a 1-0 lead. In the 12th minute, Jacobs crossed from the left, and Osimhen headed the ball but it went wide of the post.

In the 15th minute, McAllister crossed from the penalty area, and Wirtz's shot was saved by Galatasaray goalkeeper Cakir. In the 19th minute, Galatasaray created an attacking opportunity, and Osimhen's shot went wide. In the 26th minute, Szoboszlai delivered a cross, and Konaté's header was blocked by Cakir.

In the 35th minute, Lemina received a pass from Noah Long and shot from the penalty area, but it was cleared by Liverpool goalkeeper Mamadashvili. In the 41st minute, Kelkez Milos orchestrated an attack, and Wirtz headed the ball towards goal, but it was caught by Galatasaray goalkeeper Cakir.

At the start of the second half, Ekitic passed the ball to Szoboszlai, who unleashed a long-range shot from near the edge of the penalty area, but the ball was blocked by Galatasaray goalkeeper Cakir. Shortly after, Galatasaray made a clearance error, and McAllister's shot went wide of the goal.

In the 55th minute, Van Dijk fouled Alper Yilmaz while vying for possession and was shown a yellow card by the referee. In the 66th minute, Noah Lang passed the ball across the field, Konaté made a mistake in clearing it, and Osimhen scored with a low shot, but Alper Yilmaz was offside beforehand, so the goal was disallowed.

In the 72nd minute, Szoboszlai took a corner kick, and the ball, in the ensuing scramble, deflected off a Galatasaray player and into the net. However, Konaté had touched the ball with his hand earlier, so the goal was disallowed. In the 73rd minute, Liverpool substituted Gakpo for Wirtz. In the 80th minute, Robertson's back pass from the penalty area deflected, and Galatasaray goalkeeper Cakir immediately made the save.

In the 82nd minute, Osimhen received a pass from his teammate and entered the penalty area to unleash a shot, but the ball was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Mamadashvili. In the 89th minute, Szoboszlai chipped a pass into the penalty area, and Ekitic headed the ball towards goal, but unfortunately, it went over the post.

Ultimately, Liverpool lost 0-1 to Galatasaray away from home.

Image source: Internet