Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Lemina scores winner and Konate's leveller ruled out

Mario Lemina was the matchwinner for Galatasaray as they defeated Liverpool 1-0 in their Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday. 

Match Report

The midfielder's first-half header split the two sides at Rams Park in what was a thrilling encounter that saw a combined four big chances, 30 shots and two disallowed goals.

Florian Wirtz missed a golden opportunity after just 104 seconds, firing wide after Lemina played the ball straight to him, though the Galatasaray midfielder made a better impact at the other end as he headed in from close range after a well-worked corner.

Wirtz squandered another chance soon after following good build-up play from Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alex Mac Allister, while Giorgi Marmardashvili made two excellent saves to deny Noa Lang and Davinson Sanchez.

Dominik Szoboszlai forced a stop from Ugurcan Cakir early in the second half before Mac Allister shot wide of the left post, though the Reds were let off the hook again when Victor Osimhen saw a goal disallowed for offside against Baris Yilmaz in the build-up.

It was then Liverpool's turn to have a goal ruled out after Ibrahima Konate was adjudged to have handled the ball from a corner before it ricocheted in off Wilfried Singo, while Cakir kept out a potential own goal from Sanchez late on as Galatasaray held on for their first-leg advantage.

Data Debrief: Angel Gabriel Sara shines in Turkey

It's anyone's guess as to how this finished 1-0, with Galatasaray producing 1.44 expected goals (xG) to Liverpool's 1.28 as both sides attempted 15 shots.

Gabriel Sara was particularly impressive for the home side, creating a match-high four chances, winning eight of his 16 duels (only bettered by Ekitike – 10) and completing four of his five attempted dribbles (second to Ekitike – five).

It was a quiet game for Salah, who did not record a single shot in his 81st Champions League game for Liverpool, the most of any player for the club.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Big chance for Liverpool as Wirtz takes aim from 25 yards out but hits it wide

7' GOAL! Lemina heads home to open the scoring first! Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

16' Superbly worked by Liverpool but Wirtz's shot is straight at Ugurcan Cakir

17' Konate pushes up and then has a shot which is just over the bar

21' Noa Lang's cross beats everybody and Mamardashvili pushes it round the post

24' Mamardashvili with another superb save to deny Sanchez' header

29' Konate makes a mess, allowing the ball through to Osimhen, who lashes it over

40' Wirtz cannot get any power on his header in the middle

46' Szoboszlai goes for goal from 25 yards and stings the palms of Cakir

47' Gomez's long throw falls to Mac Allister but he drags his shot just wide

60' Double change for Liverpool as Salah & Kerkez replaced by Frimpong & Robertson

62' Osimhen scores following a comedy error of Konate but it's ruled out for offside

65' Ekitike beats the defender but his one-on-one shot is saved by keeper

72' Liverpool equalize but it's disallowed for a handball of Konate

75' Liverpool have sent on Cody Gakpo for Florian Wirtz

80' Highlight from Galatasaray vs Liverpool

82' Osimhen goes for goal from a very tight angle and Mamardashvili pushes it away

Line-ups

Galatasaray XI: Lemina, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Sanchez, Torreira, Uğurcan Çakır, Osimhen, Lang, Ismail Jakobs, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Gabriel Sara, Singo

Subs: Gundogan, Günay Güvenç, Kaan Ayhan, Icardi, Sane, Roland Sallai, Akgun, Sen, Ahmed Kutucu, Boey, Eren Elmalı, Yáser Asprilla

Liverpool XI: Salah, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Konate, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Hugo Ekitiké, Milos Kerkez, Wirtz

Subs: Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Jeremie Frimpong, Trey Nyoni, Kieran Morrison, Kornel Misciur, Amara Nallo, Rio Ngumoha