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Galatasaray have booked a place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 for the first time in 12 years, and their next opponent has been confirmed as Liverpool after Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Istanbul club reached this stage by knocking out Juventus in the play-off round. Although Galatasaray lost 3-2 away in the second leg, they went through 7-5 on aggregate after winning the first match 5-2.
Galatasaray last made the Champions League last 16 in the 2013-2014 season, when they also eliminated Juventus. This season’s qualification again came via the play-offs, a two-leg knockout tie played home and away, with the winner decided on aggregate score across both matches.
Liverpool had been one of two possible opponents for Galatasaray at this stage. Galatasaray previously faced Liverpool in the league phase and won 1-0 at home, with Victor Osimhen scoring the only goal.
The draw to determine Galatasaray’s last-16 opponent took place on Friday in Nyon, with the ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. Türkiye time.
Galatasaray and Liverpool have met five times in European competitions, with the Turkish side holding a slight edge in the overall record. Galatasaray have won twice, Liverpool once, while two matches ended in draws. Across those encounters, Galatasaray scored seven goals compared with Liverpool’s six.
One of the most memorable meetings came during the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League group stage. Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 3-2 in Istanbul on Dec. 5, 2006, in a match that featured a goal from current Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk, who was playing as a midfielder for the club at the time. Necati and Ilic also scored in the victory, while Robbie Fowler netted twice for Liverpool.
The reverse fixture that season ended with Liverpool winning 3-2 at home, highlighting the closely contested nature of the rivalry. Earlier encounters in the 2001-02 group stage produced two draws, including a goalless match in England and a 1-1 result in Istanbul.
In terms of European pedigree, Liverpool hold six Champions League titles, most recently winning the competition in the 2018-19 season, while Galatasaray are still seeking their first triumph in Europe’s premier club tournament.
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