Lemina header gives Galatasaray slender advantage over Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after falling to Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute header from a Victor Osimhen flick-on proved decisive, punishing Liverpool’s vulnerability from set-pieces this season.

The game started at a frantic pace, with Liverpool creating several early chances. Hugo Ekitike missed a prime opportunity, and Ibrahima Konaté appeared to score, only for VAR to rule it out.

Liverpool dominated possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Turkish defence. 

Changes after the hour mark, including Mohamed Salah being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong, did little to shift the momentum. Osimhen came close following a defensive mix-up, while Ekitike squandered another late chance. Liverpool thought they had equalised from a corner, but VAR ruled handball against Konaté.

The Reds now head into the second leg at Anfield next Wednesday with everything to do, before hosting Tottenham in the Premier League this Sunday.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

Galatasaray takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Liverpool. Mario Lemina scores with a header from close range right in front of the goal. The assist comes from Victor Osimhen, who also headed the ball following a corner kick.Galatasaray takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Mario Lemina scores with a close-range header right into the center of the net. The assist came from Victor Osimhen following a corner kick.

7':

GOAL Galatasaray: Mario Lemina (Galatasaray) scores!

Mario Lemina scores goal number 1 in the competition (8 matches)

19':

Missed opportunity. Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area after a swift counterattack.

29':

Missed opportunity. Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the right after a quick counterattack.

42':

Opportunity wasted! Mario Lemina of Galatasaray attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The chance was set up by Gabriel Sara, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

47':

Missed opportunity. Alexis Mac Allister from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it went just wide to the left.

56':

Missed opportunity. Abdülkerim Bardakci from Galatasaray attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the left.

57':

Opportunity wasted. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

82':

Missed opportunity! Wilfried Singo from Galatasaray attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Lucas Torreira.

86':

Missed opportunity! Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Baris Alper Yilmaz.

89':

Opportunity wasted! Hugo Ekitiké of Liverpool had a header from the center of the box but sent it over the bar. The cross was delivered by Dominik Szoboszlai.

90 +1':

Missed opportunity! Cody Gakpo of Liverpool takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that narrowly misses to the left. The assist came from Andy Robertson.

90 +5':

Missed opportunity. Ismail Jakobs of Galatasaray attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right after a corner kick.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match