Young Boys Edge Out Galatasaray to Reach Champions League Group Stage

Emre Sarigul

August 28, 2024

Young Boys Edge Out Galatasaray to Reach Champions League Group Stage — Galatasaray supporters celebrate after the football club was crowned champion of Turkey's top division for a record 22nd time on May 19, 2019 in Istanbul. - Galatasaray sealed their 22nd Turkish league title with a dramatic 2-1 win over nearest challengers Istanbul Basaksehir in a capital-city derby marred by violence. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo credit should read YASIN AKGUL/AFP/Getty Images)

Young Boys have secured their place in the Champions League group stage after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Galatasaray in the second leg of their playoff tie.

The Swiss side advanced to the next round with a 4-2 aggregate win over the Turkish giants. The decisive goal came from Alan Virginius, who scored in the 87th minute to give Young Boys the victory.

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The match was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, Virginius’ late strike proved to be the difference.

Galatasaray were reduced to 10 men after Fernando Muslera was sent off for a foul on Virginius.

Young Boys will now join the other 31 teams in the Champions League group stage, where they will compete for a place in the knockout rounds.

Galatasaray meanwhile drop out of the Champions League but will compete in the Europa League this season. The Lions exit means that there will be no Turkish representatives in the Champions League this season.

Fenerbahce were also eliminated in the playoff rounds for the Champions League.