Champions League 2025-26: Galatasaray upset Liverpool, Chelsea beat Benfica

Galatasaray secured a 1-0 upset win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Victor Osimhen's early penalty separated the two sides at Rams Park. Meanwhile The Reds lost goalkeeper Alisson Becker and striker Hugo Ekitike to injury. 

Liverpool started positively as Ekiteke was through on goal but goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir was quick to come out of line and deny the French striker. Though the rebound fell to Cody Gakpo, Ismail Jakobs made a goal-line clearance to keep the score 0-0. However Dominik Szoboszlai's foul on Baris Yilmaz led to the penalty. 

Osimhen stepped up and converted with composure in the 16th-minute. The 26-year-old became the first Nigerian player to score for three different teams in the Champions League: Lille, Napoli and Galatasaray. Moreover, the Masked striker became the first Nigerian to reach 10 goals in the tournament's proper stages. 

In response Florian Wirtz forced a full stretch save from Cakir before Ekiteke's cheeky flick was well saved by the Turkish gloveman. Despite these chances the Reds failed to find the equaliser. The match saw more drama when referee Clement Turpin pointed to the penalty spot after Ibrahim Konate appearaed to be fouled by Wilfried Singo. However, after condulting VAR, the Frenchman reversed his decision. 

Despite their desperate attempts Liverpool failed to find the back of the net and suffered another setback following their recent loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 1-0 success against Benfica at Stamford Bridge. Richard Rios' own goal from Alejandro Garnacho's assist in the 18th-minute earned all three points for the Blues. Meanwhile Enzo Maresca's side had Joao Pedro sent off in the stoppage time. The Brazilian received his second yellow card for a high boot on Leandro Barreiro. 

Marseille thrash Ajax

Olympique Marseille thrashed Ajax 4-0 at Stade Velodrome. Igor Paixao's early brace and one goal each from Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped the Ligue 1 side secure all three points at home. 

Paixao opened the scoring inside the first six minutes and the Brazilain doubled the lead six minutes later. Greenwood added a third before the break, and Aubameyang completed the drubbing seven minutes into the second-half. 

It was the French club's first Champions League victory since October 2022, giving Les Phoceens their first points on board after losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in its opening match of the campaign. Meanwhile, Ajax suffered a second defeat after beginning with a 2-0 loss to Inter Milan.