Victor Osimhen struck in extra time as Galatasaray S.K. edged out Juventus F.C. 7-5 on aggregate on Wednesday night to book their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
The Turkish champions travelled to Turin with a commanding 5-2 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul but were forced to withstand a spirited response from the Italian giants at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus ignited hopes of a comeback when Manuel Locatelli converted a first-half penalty, reducing the deficit and lifting the home supporters.
Galatasaray appeared to gain a decisive edge shortly after the restart when defender Lloyd Kelly was shown a red card just three minutes into the second half, leaving the hosts down to 10 men.
However, Juventus refused to capitulate. Federico Gatti’s close-range effort and a thunderous header from Weston McKennie brought the Bianconeri level on aggregate, sending the contest into extra time in dramatic fashion.
With fatigue setting in, Galatasaray’s experience ultimately proved decisive.
Osimhen timed his run perfectly to latch onto a precise through ball before calmly slotting home to restore the visitors’ aggregate advantage.
Barış Alper Yılmaz added a late goal to seal the tie and silence the home crowd, capping a pulsating two-legged encounter.
The victory secures Galatasaray’s passage into the knockout phase, where they will face either Liverpool F.C. or Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the last 16, marking a significant European achievement for the Istanbul-based side.
