galatasaray vs juventus: Galatasaray storm to 5-2 first-leg win
Galatasaray produced a dramatic second-half fightback to beat Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off, taking a commanding three-goal lead to the return fixture. The hosts had trailed at half-time but surged back with a flurry of goals after the break to seize control of the tie in Istanbul.
Second-half surge overturns first-half deficit
The match opened with an early breakthrough from the home side, only for Juventus to mount a strong response through a quick double by Teun Koopmeiners that left the visitors 2-1 up at the interval. The momentum swung sharply after half-time, however, as Galatasaray produced a blistering 30 minutes to turn the scoreboard on its head.
Noa Lang set the comeback in motion, and Davinson Sánchez followed to make it 3-2 inside the hour mark. Lang later completed his brace by capitalizing on slack defending from the visitors, and substitute Sacha Boey added a late fifth to seal a memorable home victory. The five-goal haul marked the first time Galatasaray have scored five in a single Champions League match.
Turning points: cards, substitutions and frantic momentum
Discipline and timing proved decisive. A half-time substitute, Juan Cabal, was shown a second yellow card 21 minutes after his introduction, reducing Juventus to ten men and forcing them to reshuffle at a critical phase. That dismissal handed the hosts a numerical edge they exploited relentlessly.
The contest was defined by waves of momentum: an early Galatasaray strike, a sharp 17-minute response from Juventus before half-time, and then an assertive and sustained home display after the break. Galatasaray's front line combined pace and clinical finishing, while Juventus struggled to cope with transitions and set-piece defending as the match progressed.
What this means for the tie and historical context
With a 5-2 aggregate lead to take to Turin, Galatasaray will head into the return leg in a strong position. The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at 3: 00 PM ET, where Juventus will need to overturn a three-goal deficit to progress.
This was the seventh European meeting between the two clubs and the first in the knockout rounds. Historically, Galatasaray have had the upper hand in this fixture pairings, and they remain difficult opponents at home against Italian sides in the Champions League. For Juventus, the task now is to regroup and address defensive lapses before returning to their stadium for the decisive leg.
Beyond the headline scoreline, the game underlined the impact of quick tactical shifts and key moments of indiscipline. The hosts’ ability to press and punish errors late in the match left the Serie A side with little margin for error heading into the second leg.
Coaches on both sides now face a tactical chess match in Turin. The outcome will hinge on whether the visitors can restore defensive solidity and whether the Turkish champions can protect their cushion while seeking to strike on the break.
