..... Galatasaray claims sensational UCL win.
By Olopade Sakiru
On a raucous night at Rams Park, Victor Osimhen wrote his name into Galatasaray folklore with the decisive strike that toppled Liverpool 1–0 in the UEFA Champions League.
The Nigerian star, calm under immense pressure, converted a 16th-minute penalty to give the Turkish champions their first home victory in Europe’s elite competition in seven years.
The win was as famous as it was hard-fought — a performance built on courage, discipline, and the relentless menace of Osimhen, whose presence unsettled Liverpool’s defence throughout the night.
Liverpool threatened early when Hugo Ekitiké squandered a glorious opening and Cody Gakpo’s follow-up was cleared off the line. Yet just minutes later, the game’s pivotal moment arrived. Barış Alper Yılmaz cut inside Dominik Szoboszlai and caught a stray arm to the face. Referee Clément Turpin, after a swift VAR check, pointed to the spot.
Osimhen, wearing his trademark protective mask, stepped forward with trademark composure. His strike, straight down the middle as Alisson dived aside, sent the Istanbul crowd into delirium.
Liverpool grew into the contest but were continually frustrated. Galatasaray’s backline, marshalled by Davinson Sánchez, repelled wave after wave of attacks, while Osimhen remained a thorn in the visitors’ side.
Twice he might have doubled the lead: first dispossessing Curtis Jones only to be denied by a superb recovery tackle, then later testing the replacement keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after Alisson limped off injured.
Liverpool thought they had salvation late on when Ibrahima Konaté tumbled under a challenge from Wilfried Singo inside the box. The referee initially awarded a penalty — only for VAR to overturn the call, ruling Singo had nicked the ball first. The decision deflated the Reds and sealed their fate.
For Galatasaray, this was more than three points; it was a statement. Against one of Europe’s giants, they showed resilience and seized their moment — with Osimhen at the heart of it. The result could prove pivotal in their qualification hopes, and it will be remembered as one of their greatest European nights.
For Liverpool, it was back-to-back defeats under Arne Slot, raising serious questions about their defensive fragility and attacking sharpness. Injuries to Alisson and Ekitiké only deepened the sense of unease.
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