SOCCER: Galatasaray hammer 10-man Juventus 5-2 in Champions League playoff thriller

ISTANBUL – Galatasaray produced a stunning performance on Tuesday, defeating 10-man Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, with Noa Lang and Gabriel Sara leading the charge.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Brazilian Sara unleashed a thunderous long-range shot that left goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio helpless. Juventus responded immediately, though, as Teun Koopmeiners converted a rebound from Pierre Kalulu's saved header just a minute later.

The Italians briefly took the lead in the 32nd minute when Koopmeiners struck again, this time with a driven shot from outside the box after a pass from Weston McKennie. Tensions rose before halftime, with Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti receiving a yellow card for dissent.

Galatasaray equalized shortly after the break when Lang finished a rebound from Baris Alper Yilmaz's effort. The Turkish side regained the lead in the 60th minute as Davinson Sanchez turned in a precise Sara set-piece.

Juventus’ troubles deepened in the 67th minute when substitute Juan Cabal received a second yellow card, reducing his team to 10 players. Galatasaray quickly took advantage. In the 75th minute, Victor Osimhen assisted Lang, who fired a clinical right-footed shot from the center of the box.

The hosts sealed their dominant victory in the 86th minute, with Osimhen creating another chance for substitute Sacha Boey, who smashed home a powerful finish.

Galatasaray now heads to Turin with a commanding 5-2 lead for the second leg on February 25.

-Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters