Former England international Gary Lineker has strongly criticised the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision that ruled out a goal by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash against Liverpool earlier this week.
The controversial moment occurred during the highly anticipated encounter in Istanbul, where the Turkish champions secured a 1-0 victory over the English side thanks to an early strike from midfielder Mario Lemina.
While Galatasaray celebrated a significant win in the opening leg of the knockout tie, much of the post-match discussion centred on the disallowed goal involving Osimhen, which many observers believe could have changed the dynamics of the match.
The incident happened after Osimhen capitalised on a defensive error by Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. The Nigerian forward reacted quickly when a cross into the box was deflected, allowing him to pounce on the loose ball and calmly slot it past the Liverpool goalkeeper.
As the ball hit the back of the net, Galatasaray supporters inside RAMS Park erupted in celebration, believing their team had extended the lead to two goals and taken firm control of the tie.
However, the celebrations were short-lived.
Following a brief review by the VAR team, the referee was advised to disallow the goal after determining that Galatasaray winger Barış Alper Yılmaz had been in an offside position during the build-up to the goal.
According to the official ruling, Yılmaz was deemed to have interfered with play by obstructing the vision of Liverpool’s defensive line, which allegedly contributed to the confusion that allowed Osimhen to score.
The decision sparked immediate debate among fans, pundits and former players, many of whom questioned whether the winger’s position truly had a direct impact on the defensive play.
Among those who strongly criticised the decision was former England striker Gary Lineker, who shared his frustration during an episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
Lineker, widely respected as both a former professional footballer and a prominent football analyst, said he had reviewed the footage multiple times and believed the decision to disallow the goal was incorrect.
“I have watched it 50 times, and it is absurd,” Lineker said.
“There is no impact from Yilmaz. It is just a terrible, terrible decision, and VAR just waved it on.”
Lineker’s comments have added to the growing conversation around the consistency and interpretation of VAR decisions in major football competitions.
Since its introduction into top-level football, the VAR system has been designed to assist referees in making more accurate decisions during matches, particularly in situations involving goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity.
However, the technology has also faced criticism from players, coaches and pundits who argue that some decisions remain subjective, particularly when it comes to determining whether a player in an offside position has interfered with play.
In this particular incident, critics believe the interpretation of interference may have been overly strict, as many viewers felt that Yılmaz did not significantly obstruct Liverpool’s defenders or goalkeeper.
Supporters of Galatasaray have also expressed disappointment over the ruling, arguing that Osimhen’s goal should have stood and that the decision deprived the team of a stronger advantage ahead of the second leg.
Despite the controversy, Galatasaray still managed to secure victory in the match through Lemina’s early goal in the seventh minute.
The Gabon international midfielder finished calmly after receiving an assist from Osimhen, giving the Turkish champions an important lead in the tie.
The result provides Galatasaray with a narrow advantage heading into the second leg, although Liverpool will be determined to overturn the deficit when the teams meet again.
For Osimhen, the disallowed goal was a frustrating moment in what was otherwise another energetic performance from the Nigerian forward.
The striker has been one of Galatasaray’s most influential players this season, contributing both goals and assists while playing a central role in the club’s attacking strategy.
His pace, strength and relentless pressing have made him a constant threat to opposition defences, and his quick reaction during the controversial moment against Liverpool once again demonstrated his sharp attacking instincts.
Football analysts have noted that Osimhen’s presence has added a new dimension to Galatasaray’s offensive play, particularly in high-intensity matches where quick decision-making and movement inside the penalty area can make the difference.
Although the disallowed goal may remain a talking point, Galatasaray will take confidence from their overall performance in the first leg as they prepare for the decisive return match.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be eager to respond strongly and will likely approach the second leg with greater attacking urgency as they seek to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
The debate surrounding the VAR decision highlights the ongoing discussions about how technology should be applied in football and whether current interpretations of certain rules are being implemented fairly and consistently.
For now, the focus shifts to the upcoming second leg, where both teams will look to secure a place in the next round of Europe’s premier club competition.
While Galatasaray will aim to protect their slim advantage, Liverpool will hope to produce a strong comeback performance.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s influence on the tie remains significant, and his ability to create scoring opportunities could once again play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
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