Mansion Sports – Victor Osimhen emerged as the hero for Galatasaray after his decisive goal secured a shocking 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League. 

The Nigerian striker, who converted a first-half penalty, went on to describe Galatasaray as “the best team in the world” following the match. 

The result piles further pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot, as the Reds suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Osimhen’s Penalty Seals the Victory

The atmosphere at Rams Park was electric from the opening whistle. Galatasaray took the lead in the 16th minute when Osimhen calmly converted a penalty after Dominik Szoboszlai was adjudged to have fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz inside the box.

Liverpool pushed hard in the closing stages and even thought they had been awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.

Osimhen, making his return after a three-week absence, expressed pride in his contribution. “I want to congratulate the team. The opponent was very tough, and the chances did not favor us, but we managed to overcome everything together,” he said. 

He added: “For me, Galatasaray is the best team in the world. The incredible support from the fans gave me the strength to perform better.”

A Historic Night at Rams Park

This victory marked only Galatasaray’s second win in their last 19 Champions League group stage matches, yet the atmosphere in Istanbul made the night feel historic. 

More than 51,000 fans had already created a deafening roar 45 minutes before kick-off, applying relentless pressure on Liverpool with every touch.

The occasion carried added significance as it coincided with the club’s 120th anniversary celebrations. The symbolic triumph injected even more energy into the squad, who are now chasing a fourth consecutive Super Lig title.

Liverpool Face Criticism After Consecutive Defeats

For Liverpool, the defeat proved a damaging blow. Their performance was criticized for being disorganized, with repeated mistakes in possession, defensive frailties, and a lack of sharpness in attack.

Manager Arne Slot faced scrutiny for his decision to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench until the 60th minute, a move that ultimately failed to change the outcome of the match.

With back-to-back losses, serious questions are now being raised about Slot’s tactical approach. 

The Reds must respond quickly as they prepare for a Premier League clash against West Ham this weekend, followed by a crucial Champions League fixture against Ajax.