galatasaray vs juventus: Galatasaray storm back to win 5-2 in dramatic first leg
Galatasaray produced a stunning second-half turnaround to beat Juventus 5-2 in a frenetic Champions League play-off first leg, taking a three-goal advantage into the return in Turin on Wednesday, February 25 at 3: 00 PM ET. The Turkish side scored five in a Champions League game for the first time and left the Serie A giants reeling after a chaotic evening.
First half: Juventus fightback after early Galatasaray lead
The game began with the hosts grabbing an early breakthrough when Gabriel Sara put Galatasaray ahead. Juventus then mounted a rapid response, with Teun Koopmeiners scoring twice in a 17-minute purple patch to flip the script and send the visitors into the break leading 2-1. The half showcased momentum swings and moments of high intensity, setting up what looked like a tightly poised tie at the interval.
Second half collapse and Galatasaray surge
The complexion of the match changed dramatically after the break. Galatasaray levelled and then surged ahead through Noa Lang and Davinson Sanchez, with both strikes completed by the hour mark to put the hosts 3-2 up. The game turned decisively when Juventus substitute Juan Cabal received a second yellow card 21 minutes after coming on, reducing the visitors to ten men and severely restricting their ability to chase the tie.
With the numerical advantage, Galatasaray pressed relentlessly. Lang capitalised on lax defending to notch his second of the night, and Sacha Boey added a late fifth to seal a comprehensive victory. The result left Juventus with a mountain to climb in the second leg and raised questions about their defensive resilience and game management under pressure.
Context and what comes next
This was the seventh Champions League meeting between the clubs and the first in the knockout rounds; historically Galatasaray have had the upper hand in head-to-head encounters, losing only once in the previous six matches (two wins, three draws). Juventus have not won any of their three previous away Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray, and the Italian side has struggled historically on Turkish soil in this competition.
For Galatasaray, the win marks their first five-goal haul in a Champions League match and will be seen as a statement of intent as they contest their first knockout-stage tie in the competition since the 2013-14 campaign. The return leg in Turin on Wednesday, February 25 at 3: 00 PM ET will be a daunting task for Juventus, who must recover defensively and find a way to overturn a three-goal deficit while managing disciplinary frailties that cost them dearly in the first leg.
Managerial reactions and individual performances will dominate the build-up to the second leg. Galatasaray will be confident they can protect their lead, while Juventus will need a rapid tactical reset if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive this season.
