galatasaray routs Juventus 5-2 at home to seize commanding edge in Champions League play-off
On Wednesday night (ET) Galatasaray produced a memorable European performance, beating Juventus 5-2 at home in the Champions League last-16 play-off first leg. The result hands the Turkish side a huge advantage heading into the second leg and marks a rare, emphatic victory over a major Italian opponent on the continental stage.
Dominant attacking display overturns early deficit
Juventus took a 2-1 lead in a lively first half, but Galatasaray flipped the match after the break with relentless pressure and clinical finishing. The hosts poured forward and found the net five times, with Noa Lang, Sacha Boey and Davinson Sanchez among the scorers who helped construct the decisive margin. Galatasaray's third goal came from a set play delivered into the box and finished by Davinson Sanchez, a moment that swung momentum irreversibly in the hosts' favor.
The scoring sequence late in the game underlined Galatasaray's dominance. Noa Lang produced a composed finish to pull the hosts ahead, while Sacha Boey added a flourish to make it 5-2 — a goal that punctuated an accomplished attacking night. At several points the home side outpaced and outworked their visitors, creating clear chances and forcing Juventus onto the back foot.
Beyond the goals, Galatasaray achieved a notable milestone: they became the first Turkish club to score four goals in a European match against an Italian side, a stat that highlights the significance of the victory in continental terms.
Tactical shifts, cards and key substitutions shaped the result
The tactical battle swung decisively when a Juventus defender was sent off in the second half after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Barış Alper Yılmaz. The dismissal left Juventus a man light and opened up space that the home side exploited. Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk responded with proactive changes, including bringing Leroy Sané on for Yunus Akgün, and later introducing Wilfried Singo in place of Abdülkerim Bardakçı. Singo came close to extending the lead himself with a driven shot from distance that rattled the post.
Juventus had carved out opportunities earlier and struck twice before halftime, but were unable to contain Galatasaray’s intensity after the interval. A tense spell saw a Juventus free kick delivered dangerously into the box before Davinson Sanchez nodded the ball home to restore the lead for the hosts. From that point, Galatasaray controlled territory and tempo, finishing the match with convincing authority.
Buruk pleased but warns against complacency; outlook for the return leg
Head coach Okan Buruk emphasized both the joy of the result and the need for perspective. He praised the players’ effort, the supporters’ role in creating a raucous atmosphere, and the squad depth that allowed fresh legs to influence the game. Buruk stressed that the tie is not over and urged the team to approach the second leg with the same hunger and concentration.
With this win, Galatasaray moves into the return match with a substantial cushion. If they advance past Juventus over the two legs, they would face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the Champions League last 16. For now, the focus will be on maintaining form across a congested fixture list, and ensuring the squad remains fully motivated for domestic challenges as well as the decisive return in Italy.
The 5-2 scoreline will be remembered as one of Galatasaray’s standout European nights: historic, emphatic and a clear statement of intent as the club chases deeper progression in the competition.
