SOCCER: Galatasaray advance after extra time to deny stunning Juventus comeback

TURIN, Italy – Galatasaray scored twice in extra time to end 10-man Juventus’ brave comeback, advancing to the Champions League round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate victory despite losing 3-2 in the second leg on Wednesday.

Juventus faced a steep challenge after a 5-2 first-leg defeat in Istanbul but pushed the tie into extra time. The Italian side looked to have momentum before Victor Osimhen struck at the end of the first half of extra time, followed by Baris Alper Yilmaz’s late goal to seal the win for the Turkish club.

Juventus entered the match on a poor run of form, with four losses in five games, but their effort earned applause from the home fans. “I feel like crying. We gave our heart and soul and these games remain in the heart,” Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli told Amazon Prime. “In the first leg, an episode complicated today, heartfelt thanks to everyone, to the stadium which was incredible.”

Locatelli opened the scoring for Juventus from the penalty spot eight minutes before halftime. Three minutes into the second half, Juventus’ Lloyd Kelly was sent off, but Federico Gatti scored with 20 minutes left, giving the hosts hope.

Despite being a man down, Juventus pressed on. Weston McKennie headed in a goal eight minutes from fulltime to level the tie on aggregate, but Galatasaray held on. The Turkish side will now face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday.

Juventus created several chances in the first half. Gatti headed over from close range, Locatelli saw a shot saved by Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, and Kenan Yildiz’s deflected attempt was tipped around the post. The penalty gave Juventus a lifeline, but Kelly’s red card meant the team would finish with 10 men, repeating the challenge of the first leg.

In extra time, Edon Zhegrova squandered a clear chance, shooting wide from close range. Osimhen then struck for Galatasaray, collecting a pass from Yilmaz and slotting it through Juventus keeper Mattia Perin. Cakir made a reflex save to deny Zhegrova, but Yilmaz sealed the victory on the counter as Juventus tired.

“There was an impressive reaction, the fans also supported us a lot. In extra time we arrived tired,” Gatti said. “We had put the game back on its feet with 10 men, but in the first leg we threw it away.” -Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters