Champions League – Koopmenas scores 2 goals as Juventus lose 2-5 to Galatasaray

2026-02-18 01:09

The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off took place, with Juventus coming back from a goal down to take the lead with two goals from Koopmenas. However, they continued to concede goals and ultimately lost 2-5 to Galatasaray.

Five minutes into the match, Galatasaray created an attacking opportunity when Yunus Akkin received a pass from his teammate and unleashed a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball went wide. In the 15th minute, Gabriel Sala regained possession in a scramble and slotted the ball home, giving Galatasaray a 1-0 lead.

In the 16th minute, Cambiasso chipped a pass into the penalty area, and Kalulu's header was saved by Galatasaray goalkeeper Cáker. Kupmenas then volleyed the rebound into the net, leveling the score at 1-1 for Juventus. In the 19th minute, Cambiasso fouled Yilmaz while contesting for possession and was shown a yellow card by the referee.

In the 30th minute, Gabriel Sala chipped the ball to Osimhen, who immediately rose to head it towards goal, but the ball was saved by Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio. In the 32nd minute, McKennie passed the ball diagonally to Kupmenas, who then entered the penalty area and fired a long-range shot into the net, giving Juventus a 2-1 lead over Galatasaray.

In the 34th minute, Juventus defender Brehme suffered an injury and was subsequently replaced by Gatti. In the 38th minute, Conceição received a cross from his teammate and entered the penalty area, but his shot went wide. In the 40th minute, Yunus Akkin received the ball outside the penalty area and shot, but the ball hit the post.

At the start of the second half, Juventus substituted Juan Cabal for Cambiasso. In the 49th minute, Yilmaz received the ball and passed it diagonally into the box, where Noah Lang seized the opportunity and fired a low shot into the net, leveling the score at 2-2 for Galatasaray.

In the 60th minute, Gabriel Sala took a free kick, and Davinson Sanchez headed the ball into the net, giving Galatasaray a 3-2 lead over Juventus again. In the 67th minute, Yilmaz was brought down by Juan Cabal while attempting a breakthrough, resulting in Cabal receiving his second yellow card and being sent off, leaving Juventus with only 10 players to continue.

In the 70th minute, Juventus substituted Kostic for Conceição. In the 74th minute, Osimhen passed the ball from the penalty area, and Noah Lang scored with a low shot, extending Galatasaray's lead to 4-2. In the 86th minute, Osimhen dealt with the defense and passed the ball to Sasha Boy, who then slotted it home, making the score 5-2 for Galatasaray.

Ultimately, Juventus lost 2-5 to Galatasaray away from home.

Image source: Internet