Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool, UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Cimbom Edge Wasteful Reds In Istanbul

Galatasaray secured a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Round of 16 at Rams Park, Istanbul, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The hosts struck early when Mario Lemina scored in the seventh minute, burying Victor Osimhen's headed pass from a corner. Both sides had plenty of chances to get the second goal, with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike both coming close for the visitors. Osimhen thought he had doubled the Cimbom lead at the hour mark, but it was ruled out by VAR due to offside in the build-up. Despite that, the Turkish champions held on for a first-leg lead, with Liverpool failing to capitalise on their multiple goalmouth opportunities.

Updated on: 11 March 2026 9:26 am

Published at: 11 March 2026 9:26 am

Champions League: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray players celebrate with supporters at the end of a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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Champions League: Liverpool vs Galatasaray

Galatasaray's Ismail Jakobs, right, and Liverpool's Joe Gomez fight for a high ball during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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UEFA Champions League: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray's Mario Lemina celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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UEFA Champions League: Liverpool vs Galatasaray

Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, top left, defends a high ball during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Emrah Gurel

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Champions League 2025-26: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray's Lucas Torreira, right, heads the ball during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Emrah Gurel

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Champions League 2025-26: Liverpool vs Galatasaray

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, top right, and Galatasaray's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir fight for a high ball during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray's Wilfried Singo controls the ball with his chest during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Liverpool vs Galatasaray

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, top, fights for the ball with Galatasaray's Mario Lemina during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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Champions League Soccer Match: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray's Baris Yilmaz, left, fights for a high ball with Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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Champions League Soccer Match: Liverpool vs Galatasaray

Galatasaray's Wilfried Singo, top, heads the ball during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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Turkey Champions League Soccer: Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, left, vies for the ball with Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen during a Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Galatasaray and Liverpool, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra