Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Rams Park in Istanbul. The Turkish side capitalized on an early goal and a staunch defensive effort to secure a narrow advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.
Mario Lemina scored the lone goal of the match in the 7th minute, heading home a cross from Victor Osimhen following a corner kick. Liverpool struggled to break down Galatasaray’s defense despite a fast start and several opportunities.
The match, which marked Arne Slot’s 100th game in charge of Liverpool, saw the Premier League champions fall behind early and fail to find an equalizer. Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, made several key saves to keep the scoreline manageable, while Ibrahima Konaté had a potential goal disallowed for offside.
Galatasaray created several chances throughout the first half, with Osimhen and Davinson Sanchez testing the Liverpool defense. Florian Wirtz also had opportunities for Liverpool, but was unable to convert.
The victory marks Galatasaray’s second win against Liverpool this season, having also defeated them in the group stage. This result puts Galatasaray in a strong position as they prepare to travel to Anfield for the second leg next Wednesday. The win extends their home dominance in the Champions League and sets up a tense return fixture.
Despite Liverpool’s attacking efforts, they were unable to overcome Galatasaray’s resolute defense and the electric atmosphere at Rams Park. Alexis Mac Allister came close to leveling the score early in the second half, but his attempt went just wide.
The match was a frantic and end-to-end affair, with both teams creating chances. However, Galatasaray’s early goal proved to be the difference, giving them a crucial lead in the tie. Noa Lang and Gabriel Sara were key players for Galatasaray, consistently threatening the Liverpool defense.
