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Galatasaray hold off Juventus to make Champions League last 16

Galatasaray scraped through to the last 16 of the Champions League despite throwing away a three-goal aggregate lead at 10-man Juventus on Wednesday, with two extra-time goals limiting the Turkish outfit to a 3-2 defeat.

Victor Osimhen and Baris Yilmaz scored the goals which allowed Galatasaray to win a thrilling tie 7-5 on aggregate and set up a clash with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round.

Galatasaray’s previous appearance in the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition was in 2014, and they were fortunate to make it through on Wednesday, even with Juve having to play most of the night with 10 men.

Juve were leading on the night through Manuel Locatelli’s 37th-minute penalty when Lloyd Kelly was harshly shown a straight red card shortly after half-time for landing from a jump with his studs on Yilmaz’s Achilles heel.

Kelly could hardly believe his eyes when he was initially shown a second yellow card.

But he was livid after a check on the pitchside monitor led referee Joao Pinheiro to revoke that decision, only to show him a straight red card for serious foul play.

The English defender was filmed loudly proclaiming the decision “a disgrace” while Juve coach Luciano Spalletti looked on, dumbstruck from the sidelines.

“It was pretty absurd. He gets the ball, and then what’s he supposed to do? Us defenders are penalised too often in today’s football,” said distraught centre-back Federico Gatti.

“Leaving that aside, it was a brilliant reaction… It’s disappointing that we were just tired when we got to extra time.

“It’s disappointing because these are the best matches to play — the Champions League is the best competition.”

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That decision looked to have killed Juve’s chances of mounting a comeback, but Gatti pulled another goal back with 20 minutes remaining and 12 minutes later, after Kenan Yildiz hit the post from close range, Weston McKennie headed the hosts level in the tie.

Edon Zhegrova had his head in his hands in the sixth minute of extra time when he slapped well wide a glorious chance to complete the comeback, and Osimhen punished Juve by stroking home his best chance of the game.

Yilmaz ended Juve’s hopes of taking the tie to penalties with a goal which flattered Galatasaray, who splashed the cash last summer, including 75 million euros to take Osimhen from Juve’s Serie A rivals Napoli.

Gala’s vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, has been bullish in the last few days, saying that the club would sign Inter Milan midfielder and Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu.

But their performance on Wednesday was marked more by cynicism than quality, with Gala’s players doing their best to waste time and buy fouls in the style of Italian teams of old.

Juve, meanwhile, were applauded off by their supporters after a display which will boost them in their bid to qualify for next season’s edition of the Champions League.

The Turin giants are fifth in Serie A, four points behind fourth-placed Roma before their trip to face the capital club on Sunday.

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Haaland ends barren run as City reach Champions League last 16

Erling Haaland ended his 10-game wait for a goal from open play as Manchester City beat Galatasaray 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16.

Rayan Cherki was also on target for Pep Guardiola’s men, who took advantage of results elsewhere going their way to sneak into the top eight and avoid a perilous play-off next month.

“With a bit of drama, we did it,” said City captain Bernardo Silva.

“With the schedule, with the amount of injuries we have at the moment, to have those two full weeks to prepare the team, to recover some players, to focus on other competitions for now is going to be really good.”

City know the dangers of the play-off round only too well after being dumped out at that stage by Real Madrid 12 months ago.

A week on from an embarrassing defeat to Bodo/Glimt that put their place in the top eight at risk, Manchester City made amends against a Galatasaray side that will go into the play-offs.

Haaland had been left on the bench by Guardiola for the first time in the Premier League this season for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolves.

The Norwegian’s only goal since December 27 prior to Wednesday, had come from the penalty spot against Brighton.

But Haaland showed no signs of a lack of confidence when he nonchalantly lifted the ball over Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from Jeremy Doku’s fine through ball.

Doku was also the creator of the second goal when he picked out Cherki inside the box to slam low into the corner.

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But the Belgian’s departure soon after, with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, was the one sour note of the night for Guardiola.

“It’s a big miss,” said Guardiola. “Jeremy is such an important player for many reasons.”

With City still in the running for silverware in four competitions, they were desperate to avoid adding two more games to a congested calendar in February.

Marc Guehi was not yet eligible to play in the Champions League, forcing Guardiola to name an experimental defence without centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

But the Turkish champions failed to seriously test City’s weak spot despite boasting the presence of Victor Osimhen up front.

The Nigerian forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into one stop just after the hour mark, but his shot was too close to the giant Italian.

Guardiola continued to frantically prowl the touchline in the second period, but all the drama was taking place away from the Etihad Stadium to secure City’s place in the last 16.

Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat at Benfica and a 1-1 draw between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle saw all three miss the chance to finish ahead of City.

Madrid could await in March as the 15-time European champions are one of City’s four possible opponents in the last 16 alongside Inter Milan, Benfica and Bodo/Glimt.

READ: Salah ends goal drought as Liverpool reach Champions League last 16

Galatasaray sign Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City on free transfer

German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on Tuesday signed for Galatasaray from Manchester City on a free transfer, both teams announced.

The 34-year-old has agreed a deal until the end of the 2026-27 season with the Turkish champions.

“Manchester City will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Gundogan, who played 358 games in two spells at City, scoring 65 goals.

“We have enjoyed so much success in our time together and there have been so many unforgettable moments, not least being captain for the Treble-winning season.

“To win the Premier League and FA Cup trophies meant so much to me, but to then be afforded the opportunity of lifting the Champions League trophy for this club for the first time, especially in Istanbul, will live with me forever.

“I have no doubts Manchester City will enjoy much more success in the future and I will certainly be watching on from afar as I continue my career in Turkey, a country that means ever such a lot to me.”

Gundogan, who was born in Germany to Turkish parents, was Pep Guardiola’s first signing for City in 2016 and spent seven years there before joining Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023.

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He rejoined City in August 2024 and made 33 appearances in the Premier League last season as Guardiola’s side finished third.

Gundogan won the Premier League five times at City as well as the Champions League in 2022-23.

He previously played for Bochum, Nuremberg, and Borussia Dortmund. He won the Bundesliga title in 2012 with Dortmund.

“Ilkay Gundogan is a name synonymous with success at Manchester City,” said City director of football Hugo Viana. “We will never forget his legacy here.”

Galatasaray, who have qualified for the Champions League, said no transfer fee will be paid.

“A contract has been signed with the player, valid until the end of the 2026/27 season,” Galatasaray said in a statement.

The 82-time-capped former Germany international and captain will play alongside former German national teammate Leroy Sane in Turkey.

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