In one of the most dramatic Champions League ties in recent memory, Galatasaray advanced to the next round despite losing 3-2 to Juventus in the second leg at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on February 25, 2026. The Turkish giants, who had built a commanding 5-2 lead in the first leg in Istanbul, were pushed to the absolute brink by a Juventus side that refused to surrender, even after being reduced to ten men. The aggregate score of 7-5 in favor of Galatasaray barely tells the story of a night that will live long in European football folklore.
Juventus entered the match knowing they needed to overturn a three-goal deficit, and they started with visible intent. The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Manuel Locatelli converted from the penalty spot, sending the Allianz Stadium into raptures and cutting the aggregate deficit to 3-5. The home crowd sensed something special was brewing, but the task still appeared monumental with Galatasaray needing just one goal to effectively kill the tie.
The drama intensified just after half-time when Lloyd Kelly received his second yellow card in the 48th minute, leaving Juventus to battle with only ten men for the remainder of the match. Most observers expected the comeback bid to fizzle out, but what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Federico Gatti rose highest to head home in the 70th minute, making it 2-0 on the night and 4-5 on aggregate, reigniting belief throughout the stadium.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when Weston McKennie struck in the 82nd minute to level the aggregate at 5-5, completing an astonishing three-goal swing by a ten-man Juventus side. The American midfielder's goal sent shockwaves through European football, and the match headed to extra time with the Italian side seemingly carrying all the momentum despite their numerical disadvantage.
However, Galatasaray's quality and experience ultimately told in the additional period. Victor Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, delivered the decisive blow just after the start of the second period of extra time, striking in the 106th minute to restore his side's aggregate lead at 6-5. The Nigerian international's composure in front of goal proved the difference, silencing the home crowd and breaking Juventus hearts after their heroic effort.
Baris Alper Yilmaz then sealed the deal in the 119th minute, adding a second Galatasaray goal in extra time to make it 3-2 on the night and a commanding 7-5 on aggregate. The Turkish winger's strike ensured there would be no final twist, confirming Galatasaray's passage to the next round. The match statistics reflected the open nature of the contest, with Juventus registering 28 total shots including 9 on target, while Galatasaray managed 16 shots with 8 on target.
With this historic result, Galatasaray become the first Turkish club to advance through the knockout playoffs in the new Champions League format. The tie will be remembered for the sheer courage of a ten-man Juventus side that came agonizingly close to completing one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history, and for Galatasaray's resilience in weathering the storm and finding crucial goals when it mattered most in extra time.
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