Galatasaray player Noa Lang sustains freak hand injury after colliding with advertising boards

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:46 PM CDT Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026 Last Modified: 8:14 PM CDT Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

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LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Galatasaray forward Noa Lang sustained a freak hand injury when he caught his thumb on an advertising hoarding in his team's 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/03/2026 (210 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Galatasaray forward Noa Lang sustained a freak hand injury when he caught his thumb on an advertising hoarding in his team’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lang was taken to a hospital due to the deep wound, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk said, and it may require surgery.

The Netherlands international writhed in pain near Liverpool’s goal with blood streaming from the injury and was comforted by Liverpool players before being carried away on a stretcher.

Galatasaray's Noa Lang reacts after sustaining an injury during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

“He’s going to the hospital right now, an important issue he has with his finger,” Buruk said. “Very quickly, they have brought him there. If there is a necessity for an operation here immediately, there will be a decision to make.”

Lang was challenging Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones for the ball in the 75th minute when he stumbled backward into the hoarding at Anfield. He appeared to trap his thumb between two hoardings and immediately clutched his hand in pain.

Galatasaray’s medical team came to treat him as play was stopped, with Lang in visible discomfort.

Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 aggregate win.