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The match between Galatasaray and Union Saint-Gilloise (USG), the fifth matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage, was played on November 25, 2025, at Rams Park in Istanbul and ended in a surprising 1-0 victory for the Belgian visitors.
The only goal came in the 57th minute thanks to Canadian striker Promise David, who finished off a precise low cross from Adem Zorgane after a skillful back pass from Raúl Florucz.
Galatasaray dominated possession (around 63%) and created more chances (13 shots to USG’s 8), with Gabriel Sara hitting the post and a late header from Abdulkerim Bardakci cleared off the line. However, they failed to break the deadlock, and substitute Arda Ünyay was sent off in the 89th minute for a second yellow card.
Both teams hit the woodwork in the first half, but USG’s defensive resilience and effective counter-attacks secured the points.
Regarding Galatasaray: This defeat ended their remarkable 33-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions—the longest active streak in Europe—and brought to a close a three-game winning streak in the Champions League that had propelled them from a shaky start (an opening defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt) into contention for direct qualification to the knockout stage.
Morale was affected, with manager Okan Buruk visibly furious after the match, lashing out at referee Irfan Peljto for what he called “poor decisions,” including a near-foul that warranted a yellow card for a USG player.
Reactions from the fans at X were heated, with disappointment at missed opportunities and calls for tactical adjustments, although some saw it as a wake-up call ahead of tougher matches.
Regarding Union Saint-Gilloise: The victory was a huge morale booster after three consecutive heavy defeats (against Newcastle, Inter Milan, and Atlético Madrid, conceding 11 goals).
It highlighted their danger from set pieces and their effectiveness on the counter-attack, with David as a key player. USG fans celebrated the “upset in the cauldron of Istanbul,” which gave them more confidence heading into their domestic campaign. Furthermore, it improved their chances of advancing to approximately 24%, according to analysts.
The result impacts both teams’ European journey in the revamped 36-team league format, where the top 8 advance directly to the round of 16, those ranked 9th to 24th enter the playoffs, and the bottom 12 are eliminated. With three matches remaining, here’s a summary of the updated standings after Matchday 5 (provisional, based on results including this match):
Galatasaray: Dropped from 8th to 9th place, trading direct qualification for a more precarious playoff spot. Their goal difference of +2 before the match is now +1, making tiebreakers more difficult.
They must win at least two of their remaining matches (against Benfica, at PSV, and against Bodø/Glimt) to regain momentum in the top 8, or risk early elimination. Domestically, this adds pressure in the fight for the Turkish Süper Lig title.
Union SG: Climbed from 28th to 20th place, tripling their points and keeping their playoff aspirations realistic (they need between 4 and 6 more points). This eases fears of relegation to the Europa League and could help them advance to the Belgian Pro League, where they are title contenders.
Other results from Matchday 5 (e.g., Benfica 2-0 Ajax, Juventus 1-1 Bodø/Glimt) tightened the mid-table, increasing the competition for playoff places. Conclusions
This was a classic “shocking result” in the unpredictable Champions League group stage: USG’s tactical discipline and opportunism exposed Galatasaray’s over-reliance on home dominance and attacking flair, turning a necessary victory into a humbling experience.
For the Turkish side, it’s a setback, but not a fatal one: they remain favorites for the playoffs thanks to the depth of their squad (e.g., Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen on the bench).
USG’s victory confirms their debutant status, demonstrating that underdogs can thrive with smart signings and coaching from Sébastien Pocognoli.
Overall, it underscores the excitement of the format: no easy matches, and every point counts in a marathon that runs until May 2026. Galatasaray is expected to bounce back strongly; for USG, this could fuel a survival streak.
