galatasaray vs juventus: Galatasaray storm to 5-2 first-leg win after stunning comeback
Galatasaray produced a breathtaking Champions League performance to take a 5-2 advantage over Juventus in the first leg of their knockout play-off. The Turkish champions trailed at half-time but turned the tie on its head in a chaotic second half that saw a decisive red-card moment and a flurry of high-quality finishes.
First half: Juve respond quickly after Sara opener
The contest began with Galatasaray striking first when Gabriel Sara unleashed a ferocious long-range effort in the 15th minute that beat the goalkeeper. Juventus answered almost instantly; Teun Koopmeiners reacted fastest to convert from close range after a saved header in the 16th minute and then doubled his tally with a driven effort in the 32nd minute to put the visitors 2-1 up at the break.
The opening 45 minutes swung back and forth, with both sides creating clear chances and momentum shifting rapidly. Juventus looked comfortable for periods, while the hosts showed signs of threat from set pieces and quick transitions, leaving the tie poised and far from settled at half-time.
Second-half swing and the crucial sending-off
Galatasaray’s revival began early in the second period when Noa Lang finished a rebound to make it 2-2, restoring parity and energising the crowd. The decisive moment arrived on the hour as Davinson Sánchez turned in a precise set-piece delivery from Sara to give the hosts the lead for the first time.
Juventus’ situation worsened in the 67th minute when substitute Juan Cabal was shown a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men and dramatically altering the pattern of the match. With a numerical advantage, Galatasaray pressed relentlessly. Lang profited from hesitant defending to notch his second of the night, and substitute Sacha Boey capped the scoring late on to make it 5-2.
The second half showcased Galatasaray’s intensity and clinical finishing; they punished Juventus whenever space appeared. Defensive lapses and the dismissal compounded Juve’s problems, leaving the Italian side with plenty to repair before the return fixture.
Tie implications and wider context
The emphatic home win hands Galatasaray a three-goal cushion heading to Turin for the return on Wednesday, February 25 (3: 00 PM ET). Juventus must overturn a substantial deficit while managing the psychological blow of conceding five at an away ground in Europe’s premier club competition.
This meeting marked the seventh Champions League clash between the two clubs and the first to take place in the knockout phase. Historically, the sides had been closely matched: the Turkish club had lost just one of their prior six meetings and had been unbeaten at home against Italian opposition in the competition. For Galatasaray, this was the first time they scored five goals in a Champions League match, and it represented their first knockout-stage match in the competition since 2013-14.
From Juventus’ perspective, away struggles in this particular matchup continue to be a pattern, and the defensive errors on display will be a focus for the coaching staff in the days before the return leg. For Galatasaray, the result is a statement of intent — a powerful home display that puts them firmly in control of the tie and raises expectations among supporters ahead of the trip to Turin.
The return leg will decide who advances to next month’s last 16, and despite the margin, football has repeatedly shown that dramatic turnarounds remain possible. Juventus face an uphill task; Galatasaray will seek to protect and build on a lead that suddenly looks very healthy.
