Drama Two Goals in One Minute, Juventus Defeated Galatasaray in the Champions League Playoff

Galatasaray won 5-2 against Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. (X/@Galatasaray)

JAKARTA - Juventus who played with 10 people were ahead first but then slaughtered Galatasaray 5-2 in the first leg of the Champions League playoff at Rams Park Stadium, Istanbul, Wednesday, February 18, 2026 early morning WIB.

Juventus started the match very well. The Italian Serie A team did miss a goal but it only took a minute to equalize the score to 1-1. Even Juve was ahead after Teun Koopmeiners scored a brace.

Juve's 2-1 lead could still be maintained until the first half ended. But the situation turned around in the second half. Especially after Juve lost defender Juan Cabal who received a second yellow card and was followed by a red card in the 67th minute. Juve, who had fallen behind 3-2, eventually conceded two more goals so that they eventually lost quite heavily.

The defeat left coach Luciano Spalletti frustrated as his side had made an impressive start but then suffered a dip.

"We are like three steps back. We are having trouble with what we are doing. If we fail to show quality of play, our defense is definitely in danger," Spalletti said as quoted by the UEFA website.

"After losing players, our position is more difficult. In addition, our final settlement in the first half was very bad. We must admit that we still have weaknesses and need to have the right evaluation for the next match," said the former Italian national team coach.

Even though they lost, Juve's chances of qualifying for the Champions League 16th round are not closed. This is because there is still a second match held at Juve's home at the Allianz Stadium, 26 February 2026 early morning WIB. Only the Bianconeri must work hard to chase the goal deficit when playing at home.

In that match, Juve tried to bounce back after losing a controversial 3-2 against Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia in Serie A. At that time, Juve lost defender Pierre Kalulu who received a red card even though he didn't make any contact with Inter player Alessandro Bastoni who dived. The embarrassing action made Bastoni be scolded and there was a demand that he be removed from the Italian national team.

The Galatasaray match against Juve was immediately fierce from the first minute. They alternately put pressure. However, Galatasaray took the lead first after a hard shot from Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara in the penalty box broke the goal of Michele Di Gregorio in the 15th minute.

Juve immediately responded quickly. Just a minute later, the visiting team was able to equalize. Starting from Khephren Thuram's header who greeted the cross from Kalulu, the goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir could still block it. However, the rebound ball was immediately hit by Koopmeiners. The score changed to 1-1.

The goal made Juve even more excited to put pressure on. As a result, Koopmeiners scored the second goal that brought Juve back to the lead in the 32nd minute. The goal was created through a slick collaboration with midfielder Weston McKennie, who was then finished by Koopmeiners with a hard kick. Score 2-1 for Juve and hold on until the first half ended.

Entering the second half, Galatasaray tried to rise. The team coached by Okan Buruk immediately put pressure. As a result, midfielder Noa Lang was able to equalize the score when the match was only four minutes. His shot that maximized the wild ball changed the score to 2-2.

The match continued to be intense. Both teams played openly to break the opponent's goal. Galatasaray's success added a goal, making them more excited.

Proven, defender Davinson Sanchez managed to increase the lead in the 60th minute. He completed the assist from Gala and the goal was immediately greeted by the home fans because they could win 3-2.

In a situation of being behind, Juve even lost a player. Cabal committed a serious foul against Baris Alper Yilmaz so that he got a second yellow card followed by a red card.

The advantage in the number of players was well utilized by Galatasaray. They didn't take long to add a goal when Lang scored his second goal in the 75th minute.

The goal started with striker Victor Osimhen who managed to snatch the ball from defender Llyod Kelly after Thuram's weak pass in his own area. Osimhen then gave the ball to Lang and punished the Juve defender's mistake with his goal that changed the score to 4-2.

Galatasaray was unstoppable. Juve's goal was again conceded when substitute Sacha Boey scored in the 86th minute. Osimhen again played a role in the goal by making an assist. The score changed to 5-2 for Galatasaray and held until the end of the match.