Victor Osimhen fired Galatasaray to a stunning 1-0 Champions League win over Liverpool and declared the Turkish giants “the best team in the world” after the final whistle. The Nigeria striker’s first-half penalty settled a raucous contest in Istanbul, piling pressure on Arne Slot after back-to-back defeats for the Premier League champions.
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Osimhen penalty downs Liverpool
Gala shocked Liverpool on a deafening night at Rams Park, securing a 1-0 victory thanks to Osimhen’s calm finish from the spot in the 16 minute. The forward, back from a three-week layoff, seized the moment after Dominik Szoboszlai was penalised for catching Baris Alper Yilmaz. Liverpool pushed late but saw an 89th-minute penalty overturned by VAR, confirming defeat.
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- AFP
Gala the best team in the world, says Osimhen
The match-winner was full of pride when reflecting on the result. “I want to congratulate the team. It was a tough opponent for us. The odds seemed stacked against us. We managed to pull together,” Osimhen said. The Nigerian international added: “I was sidelined for three weeks, but for me, Galatasaray is the best team in the world. Thanks to the constant chanting of my name here and our fans, I’m playing better.”
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Rams Park roars in big Champions League win
The win was only Galat’s second in their last 19 Champions League group games, but the atmosphere made it feel like a seismic moment. Rams Park shook from 45 minutes before kick-off as deafening whistles greeted Liverpool at every touch. The 51,000-plus fans embodied Galatasaray’s determination to bounce back after their opening 5-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gala’s triumph coincides with their 120th anniversary year, a symbolic win that further boosts confidence as they chase a fourth consecutive Super Lig crown.
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- AFP
Liverpool struggles put Slot under pressure
Liverpool, meanwhile, face scrutiny with consecutive defeats raising doubts about Slot’s tactical calls. Liverpool’s second straight defeat will trouble Arne Slot, who rested Mohamed Salah until the hour mark but saw little improvement when the Egyptian was introduced. The Premier League champions looked sloppy in possession, vulnerable defensively, and wasteful in the final third. The Reds return to domestic duty against West Ham this weekend before hosting Ajax in the Champions League.
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