Benfica Lisbon secured a solid 2–0 victory in their visit to Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday, while Union Saint-Gilloise produced a surprising and valuable 1–0 win against Galatasaray in Istanbul. With this second victory in five matches, Saint-Gilloise has taken a small but meaningful step forward in the battle for advancement. Belgian forward with Austrian ties, Raúl Florucz, scored the only goal of the match, bringing his team within three points of Galatasaray, who for now remain in ninth place in the league phase.
Florucz, making his first start in this Champions League campaign, stayed on the pitch until the 71st minute. Galatasaray, meanwhile, were unable to count on Yusuf Demir, who suffered an injury during his league debut over the weekend and was left out of the squad. Galatasaray’s defeat carried significant weight, as it ended an impressive run of 32 official home matches without a loss. In the Champions League, it also marked their second defeat after three earlier victories.
The Turkish side struggled to break down a disciplined opponent, wasted clear opportunities, and paid the price for their lack of precision in key moments. Union Saint-Gilloise, on the other hand, delivered a tactically disciplined and patient performance, defending with order and striking at the decisive moment to secure an unexpected victory in one of the most difficult stadiums in Europe.
In another important match of the day, Benfica under José Mourinho celebrated a 2–0 win over Ajax Amsterdam, a clash between two teams that had not collected any points until now. The victory offers more than just relief for the Portuguese side—it provides an emotional boost in a group where the competition remains wide open. Ajax, meanwhile, continues in a deep crisis and cannot find a clear direction in the tournament. The remainder of the league phase promises a tight battle, especially for teams like Galatasaray and Ajax, who now face an increasingly narrow margin for error.
