In a stunning UEFA Champions League knockout playoff first-leg encounter, Galatasaray SK produced one of the most eye-catching performances of the season by defeating Juventus FC 5-2 on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at Rams Park Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye.
This thrilling game, part of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs, saw Galatasaray overturn a first-half deficit to take control emphatically, setting up a commanding position ahead of the second leg in Turin.
🗓️ Match Details
- 📅 Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
- ⚽ Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025-26 – Knockout Playoff First Leg
- 🏟️ Venue: Rams Park Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye
- 🕒 Kick-off: 17:45 local time (Turkish time)
- 📊 Attendance: Match played in front of a passionate home crowd.
📊 Final Score
Galatasaray 5 – 2 Juventus
This result gives the Turkish side a three-goal advantage heading into the second leg in Italy.
⚽ Goalscorers Breakdown
Galatasaray
- Gabriel Sara — 15′ (1-0)
- Noa Lang — 49′, 74′ (2 goals)
- Davinson Sánchez — 60′
- Sacha Boey — 86′
Juventus
- Teun Koopmeiners — 16′, 32′ (2 goals)
The Italian side briefly held the lead at 2-1 thanks to Koopmeiners’ brace, but Galatasaray dominated after the break.
📝 Match Summary
The game began explosively at the Rams Park Stadium. Galatasaray opened the scoring early through Gabriel Sara, but Juventus responded immediately through Teun Koopmeiners, who equalised just one minute later and then put the visitors ahead before halftime.
However, the second half was where the home side took complete control. Just four minutes after the restart, Noa Lang levelled the score, and that seemed to knock Juventus off their rhythm.
In the 60th minute, Davinson Sánchez headed Galatasaray into the lead, and Juventus’ difficulties worsened when Juan Cabal was sent off in the 67th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Galatasaray capitalised on the extra man, as Lang completed his brace to make it 4-2, and substitute Sacha Boey added a fifth goal late in the game, sealing an emphatic victory.
📈 Tactical Turning Points
- ⚽ Second-half dominance: Galatasaray’s quick equaliser after halftime shifted momentum entirely in their favour.
- 🔴 Juventus red card: Juan Cabal’s dismissal in the 67′ weakened Juventus’ structure and allowed Galatasaray to exploit gaps.
- ⚙️ Midfield control: Galatasaray displayed better control in midfield, enabling quick transitions and lethal finishes.
📍 What This Means for the Tie
With a three-goal advantage, Galatasaray go into the second leg in Turin with a strong chance of progressing to the Round of 16 of the Champions League — a stage they haven’t reached since 2014. Juventus, meanwhile, face a tough task to overturn this deficit at home.
🏟️ Fan & Expert Reaction
Fans and pundits alike have called this one of the most exciting and surprising results of the UCL playoff round. Social media buzzed with praise for Galatasaray’s performance and frustration among Juventus supporters.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Match results, statistics, and summaries in this article are based on official match data and reputable sports news sources available at the time of writing. Scores and details are subject to official confirmation and updates by UEFA. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not host live content or streaming.