Lineker Critiques VAR Decision Against Osimhen's Goal

In a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match on March 18, 2023, Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Ram Park, Istanbul, with Mario Lemina scoring the only goal in the seventh minute, assisted by Victor Osimhen. However, the match was marred by controversy when Osimhen's second-half goal was disallowed after a VAR review, which ruled that Galatasaray winger Alper Yılmaz was offside during the build-up, despite Andi Robertson not touching the ball.

Gary Lineker criticized the VAR decision on his podcast, calling it "absurd" and stating that there was no impact on the game from Yılmaz's position. This disallowed goal prevented Osimhen from equaling Burak Yılmaz's record for the most goals scored by a Galatasaray player in a single Champions League season.

Galatasaray must win by at least two goals in the return leg at Anfield to advance directly to the quarter-finals. Real Madrid is reportedly monitoring Osimhen, with a potential summer transfer valued between €80 million and €110 million.