Galatasaray controversially triumphed over Liverpool 1-0 on matchday 2 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League at Rams Park on Tuesday.

In the first half, Gakpo's follow-up shot was blocked off the goal line, while Osimhen scored a controversial penalty. In the second half, Osimhen's volley was saved. In a crucial moment, Konate was brought down in the box, but the referee denied Liverpool a penalty. Galatasaray ultimately triumphed over Liverpool 1-0 in a controversial fashion. Following this round of matches, the defending Turkish Süper Lig champions are currently 18th on the table with three points, whilethe defending Premier League champions, suffering their second consecutive defeat in all competitions, have dropped to 15th with three points.

First Half

In the second minute, Yunus Akgün made a diagonal through pass from the midfield cebter circle. After beating the offside trap, Barış Alper Yılmaz quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot against the outrushing Alisson, but his shot was saved by the latter.

12 minutes later, Liverpool launched a quick counterattack. Cody Gakpo intercepted the ball  and made a straight pass from the left wing. Hugo Ekitike quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before t the ball was was blocked by the outrushing Ugurcan Çakir at the center of the box. Gakpo quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed follow-up shot from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked off the goal line by Ismail Yakobs! Liverpool missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

Shortly thereafter, Lucas Torreira made a diagonal through pass from the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Alper Yılmaz quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of the box before being brought down by Dominik Szoboszlai. The referee immediately awarded Galatasaray a penalty!

However, replays clearly showed that Alper Yılmaz fell to the ground with his face covered, faking an accidental knockdown, seconds only after Szoboszlai's close pursuit. It's no wonder the Liverpool fans immediately booed the decision!

Victor Osimhen took the penalty and slotted home with his right foot, giving Galatasaray the lead 1-0!

In the 30th minute, Galatasaray was awarded a corner kick. İlkay Gündoğan took the corner by crossing it into the box, causing chaos in the box. Upon picking up the loose ball, Davinson Sánchez fired a right-footed bicycle kick from the center of the box, but his shot went wide of the right side of the post.

2 minutes later, Gakpo crossed into the left wing, Jeremie Frimpong headed the ball across before Florian Wirtz volleying the ball with his right-foot from the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Çakir.

In the 33rd minute, Liverpool was awarded a corner kick. Gakpo took the corner by crossing it into the box. Ibrahima Konaté rose high and attempted with a header from a very close distance in the box, however his effort went just slightly wide of the top left corner of the post.

Shortly after, Galatasaray launched a quick counterattack. Virgil van Dijk mishandled the ball in his own back half. Osimhen quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before chipping the outrushing Alisson from outside the penalty area with his right foot, but his shot was was saved by the latter.

At the end of the first half, Galatasaray held a controversial 1-0 lead over Liverpool going into the break.

Second Half

Both teams switched switched sides when the match continued. In the 49th minute, Frimpong cuts back a pass from the edge of the byline at the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Hugo Ekitike back heeled the ball with his right foot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot was saved by Çakir.

5 minutes later, Galatasaray launched a quick counterattack. Konaté mishandled the ball in his own back half. Osimhen quickly followed up, intercepted the ball and dribbled into the center of the box with a solo run before taking a right-footed shot against the outrushing Alisson, but his shot saved by the latter. Liverpool almost paid the price for their carelessness!

In the 63rd minute, Wirtz sent a through ball from the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Alexander Isak quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed the ball with his right foot shot from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Çakir.

In the 88th minute, Alexis Mac Allister crossed into the box from the right wing. Curtis Jones headed the ball across. Upon receiving the pass, Konaté volleyed the ball with his left foot from the center of the box, but was knocked down by Wilfried Singo, who had raised his leg up high. The referee immediately blew the whistle to award Liverpool a penalty and issued a yellow card to the latter. The VAR assistant referee also intervened immediately!

Although VAR replays clearly showed that Singo had raised his leg and knocked Konate down with the ball just as he was about to shoot, committing a dangerous foul punishable by a red card, the referees unanimously overruled Liverpool's penalty kick. This controversial decision once again drew boos from the Reds fans in attendance!

In the fourth minute of injury time, Mario Lemina crossed into the box from the left wing. His pass was blocked by Mac Allister's header. Lucas Torreira quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed shot long from the edge of the penalty area, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom left corner of the the post.

When the full time whistle is blown, Galatasaray controversially defeated Liverpool 1-0.