Victor Osimhen registered two assists as Turkish champions Galatasaray thrashed Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Despite trailing 2-1 at half-time, the Turkish giants produced a dominant second-half display, scoring three times after the break and capitalising on Juventus’ numerical disadvantage following Juan Cabal’s second yellow card in the 67th minute.
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Galatasaray struck first at home, with Gabriel Sara firing a left-footed effort into the bottom-left corner in the 15th minute.
The lead lasted barely a minute, however, as Teun Koopmeiners equalised for Juventus with a right-footed finish after goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio had initially saved a header from Pierre Kalulu.
Koopmeiners then gave the visitors the lead in the 32nd minute, converting from close range after being picked out by Weston McKennie on the counter-attack. Juventus’ problems were compounded by a first-half injury to Bremer, who was replaced by Federico Gatti.
Galatasaray emerged from the interval with renewed intensity. Barış Alper Yılmaz forced a save from Di Gregorio before Noa Lang tapped home from close range in the 49th minute to level the score at 2-2.
Momentum swung decisively in favour of the hosts, and Davinson Sánchez restored their lead in the 60th minute, heading in from a Gabriel Sara set-piece to make it 3-2.
With Juventus reduced to 10 men, Galatasaray ruthlessly exploited the space, stretching the advantage to seal a comprehensive 5-2 victory.
The result leaves Galatasaray in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in Turin, with Juventus now facing the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
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