⚽ UEFA Champions League 2025‑26 – Round Of 16 Second Leg: Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray
On Wednesday, 18 March 2026, Liverpool delivered a dominant second-leg performance at Anfield to defeat Galatasaray 4–0, overturning a 1–0 first-leg deficit to advance to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 4–1 aggregate victory.
The win was a landmark night for Mohamed Salah, who became the first African player to score 50 goals in the Champions League.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Score | Liverpool 4–0 Galatasaray (4–1 aggregate) |
| Date | 18 March 2026 |
| Stadium | Anfield, Liverpool |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League (Round of 16, 2nd Leg) |
| Goalscorers | Szoboszlai (25'), Ekitike (51'), Gravenberch (53'), Salah (62') |
Key Match Events
- Opening the Scoring (25'): Liverpool levelled the aggregate score midway through the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai guided a low Alexis Mac Allister corner into the net with a first-time left-footed finish.
- Penalty Miss (45'): Just before half-time, Liverpool missed a chance to take the aggregate lead. Szoboszlai was fouled in the box by Ismail Jakobs, but Mohamed Salah's low penalty was saved by goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
- The Blitz (51'–53'): Liverpool scored twice in just 115 seconds after the restart. Hugo Ekitike tapped in a cross from Salah at the back post, followed quickly by Ryan Gravenberch, who reacted first to slot home a rebound after another Salah shot was parried.
- Landmark Goal (62'): Mohamed Salah secured the tie with a trademark curling effort from 20 yards into the top corner, marking his 50th goal in the competition.
- Disallowed Goal: Wilfried Singo turned a Jeremie Frimpong cross into his own net, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside against Frimpong.
Notable Injuries and Tactics
- Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray's star striker suffered an arm/wrist injury early in the match and was substituted at half-time, significantly weakening the visitors' attack.
- Mohamed Salah: Despite his goal and two assists, Salah was forced off in the 74th minute with a suspected injury, which manager Arne Slot noted as the "only negative" of the night.
- Atmosphere: This was Liverpool's most complete performance of the season under Slot, played in a fervent Anfield atmosphere.
What’s Next
Liverpool will face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the quarter-finals, who advanced after defeating Chelsea.
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