Galatasaray Survive Juventus Comeback to Reach Champions League Last 16
By Momodu Favour
Turkish champions Galatasaray booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after edging past Juventus 7-5 on aggregate in a dramatic encounter that went to extra time on Wednesday night.
Despite carrying a commanding three-goal aggregate advantage into the second leg in Turin, Galatasaray were pushed to the brink as 10-man Juventus mounted a spirited fightback before ultimately falling short in a pulsating 3-2 defeat on the night.
The Turkish side, making their first appearance in the knockout phase since 2014, needed extra-time strikes from Nigeria international Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz to finally subdue their Italian opponents and seal progression to the next round.
They will now face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16.
Juventus appeared determined to overturn the deficit from the outset and took the lead on the night in the 37th minute when Manuel Locatelli converted from the penalty spot. The momentum seemed to swing further in the hosts’ favour shortly after the interval when Lloyd Kelly was dismissed following a VAR review.
Kelly was initially shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Yilmaz but referee Joao Pinheiro overturned that decision after consulting the pitchside monitor, instead producing a straight red card for serious foul play.
The controversial call sparked visible frustration from the Juventus bench, with head coach Luciano Spalletti left stunned on the touchline.
Reduced to 10 men, Juventus refused to capitulate. Federico Gatti reignited hopes with a goal 20 minutes from time, and Weston McKennie levelled the tie on aggregate with a powerful header 12 minutes later after Kenan Yildiz had struck the post.
The comeback nearly became complete early in extra time when Edon Zhegrova squandered a clear opportunity, firing wide from close range.
That miss proved costly as Osimhen capitalised moments later, calmly finishing to restore Galatasaray’s aggregate advantage.
Yilmaz added another in extra time to extinguish Juventus’ resistance and ensure the Turkish side advanced despite losing on the night.
For Galatasaray, it was a statement of resilience and attacking quality, surviving a hostile atmosphere in Turin to return to Europe’s elite knockout stage after more than a decade.
For Juventus, the evening will be remembered for what might have been a valiant effort undermined by a contentious red card and missed opportunities at decisive moments.
