Juventus secured a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Galatasaray, triumphing with ten men in a captivating UEFA Champions League encounter.
Allianz Stadium witnessed a knockout stage clash filled with tension and unexpected turns on February 25, 2026. Juventus, displaying inconsistent recent form (WDLDD), sought to assert dominance against a Galatasaray side eager to overcome their recent struggles (LLWWW) and upset the home favourites.
The match ignited quickly, with the referee busy early. Victor Osimhen received a yellow card for roughing in the 14th minute. Juventus's L. Kelly followed him into the book just over ten minutes later for a foul.
The card count continued to rise. Juventus's K. Yildiz was cautioned for holding in the 31st minute, quickly followed by Galatasaray's R. Sallai for rough play. The physical battle set a fiery tone for the evening.
Manuel Locatelli finally broke the deadlock for Juventus in the 37th minute. He stepped up confidently to dispatch a penalty, sending the home crowd into celebration. The Italian midfielder's crucial strike gave Juventus a slender advantage heading into the interval.
The first half had been a cagey affair punctuated by fouls and the penalty. Both teams knew the second half demanded more composure, with the tie finely balanced despite Juventus's one-goal lead.
Disaster struck for Juventus immediately after the restart. L. Kelly, already on a yellow, received his second booking for roughing in the 48th minute, leading to an early red card. Juventus faced the daunting prospect of playing most of the match with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Juventus rallied heroically. Federico Gatti doubled their lead in the 70th minute, guiding a powerful shot past the goalkeeper. This resilient effort with ten men stunned Galatasaray and put Juventus in a strong position.
Weston McKennie then seemingly sealed Juventus's progression in the 82nd minute. He smashed home from close range after good work from Teun Koopmeiners, making it 3-0. The home side appeared to have secured a comfortable victory.
In a truly astonishing turn of events, the match continued into extra time despite Juventus holding a three-goal lead at 90 minutes. Galatasaray, showing immense character, found a lifeline.
Victor Osimhen spearheaded the comeback, drilling home in the 105th minute to pull one back for Galatasaray. The Nigerian forward's goal sparked belief among the visitors and their traveling support.
The tension ratcheted up further in the dying moments of extra time. Barış Alper Yılmaz stunned the Allianz Stadium crowd once more, scoring in the 119th minute to make it 3-2. Juventus, exhausted, clung on for the victory.
Juventus displayed remarkable offensive output, registering 28 total shots and an impressive 5.04 expected goals (xG). Galatasaray managed 16 shots with an xG of 2.01. Despite their late surge, Galatasaray held slightly more possession at 53%.
This unforgettable 3-2 extra-time win, achieved with ten men for over 70 minutes, highlights Juventus's incredible fighting spirit. They advance in the UEFA Champions League after a truly dramatic and hard-fought night at Allianz Stadium.
