Galatasaray Hold Liverpool 1-0 Advantage After First Leg In Champions League Round Of 16

Liverpool fell 1-0 at Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday in Istanbul.

Mario Lemina’s early header in the seventh minute proved decisive, giving the hosts the narrow lead. The Reds now face the challenge of overturning the deficit when the tie returns to Anfield next Wednesday.

Liverpool dominated the opening stages and could have taken the lead themselves. Their best early chance came when Wirtz fired wide from an open goal after Lemina lost possession, but the visitors were punished shortly after. Galatasaray capitalized on a corner as Victor Osimhen flicked a header back across goal, allowing Lemina to convert from close range.

Galatasaray nearly doubled their lead five minutes later, but Osimhen headed wide from Noa Lang’s cross. Liverpool responded with chances of their own, with Wirtz forcing a save from Ugurcan Cakir and Ibrahima Konate narrowly missing with a long-range effort. Goalkeeper Mamardashvili kept the score at 1-0 before halftime, denying Lang and Davinson Sanchez.

The second half saw Liverpool push for an equalizer. Dominik Szoboszlai’s powerful effort was saved, and Alexis Mac Allister dragged another opportunity wide. Galatasaray appeared to score in the 62nd minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Later, Ekitike was denied by Cakir after breaking through on goal.

Liverpool thought they had equalized in the 71st minute when a chaotic corner appeared to result in an own goal by Wilfried Singo, but VAR ruled it out for handball. In the closing stages, Galatasaray survived further pressure, with Cakir making key saves, Ekitike heading over, and Cody Gakpo missing a late chance.

The tie heads to Merseyside with Galatasaray holding a slim advantage.