Istanbul: The UEFA Champions League round of 16 commenced with an intense matchup between Galatasaray and Liverpool. The match, which marked the opening day of the knockout stage, saw Galatasaray secure a narrow 1-0 victory.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the decisive moment of the game came early when Mario Lemina found the back of the net in the 7th minute, giving the Istanbul team a crucial advantage. The closely fought contest did not see further goals, with Galatasaray maintaining their lead until the final whistle.

The return leg of this round of 16 encounter is scheduled to take place next week, where both teams will vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.