Victor Osimhen enjoyed an impressive outing as Galatasaray sealed a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles forward provided the assist for the only goal of the game, scored by former Premier League midfielder Mario Lemina in the seventh minute.
The 27-year-old caused problems all night for the Liverpool defence and had a goal strangely ruled out for offside in the second half, as the Turkish champions took a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg.
It also marked their second consecutive win over the Reds this season, although they have much work to do in the return leg if they are to advance from the tie.
Galatasaray edge Liverpool in first leg clash
Both sides had met during the league-phase, with Galatasaray winning 1-0 courtesy of a Victor Osimhen penalty.
The Nigerian forward was emotional ahead of the match after the home crowd had unveiled a tifo dedicated to his family.
The Turkish champions took the lead with their first chance of the game as Osimhen knocked down a corner kick into the path of Lemina, who headed home unmarked.
Osimhen then rose highest to head another superb delivery, but his effort was narrowly off target as Liverpool struggled to cope with Galatasaray’s intensity.
Florian Wirtz then had a weak effort saved, before Giorgi Mamardashvili saved twice in succession to keep the visitors in the game.
Liverpool started the second half on top and Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by a good save.
Galatasaray then scored a second after a mistake at the back from Ibrahima Konate, but Osimhen’s strike was controversially ruled out for offside against Baris Alper Yilmaz in the buildup.
Hugo Ekitike then missed a great chance to equalize for the visitors, before Konate’s goal was ruled out by VAR for handball.
Osimhen was causing problems for the Premier League champions and the Nigerian forward forced Mamardashvili into a fine save late in the second half.
What next?
Galatasaray now hold a one-goal advantage into the second leg at Anfield next Wednesday, with kickoff at 9:00 PM.
