The match saw two goals from Galatasaray, with Elias Jelert scoring his first for the club and Yunus Akgün adding his fifth of the season. Malmö responded with goals from Erik Botheim and Sergio Pena, the latter of which came in the dying moments of the game.
First Half: Galatasaray Struggles but Finds Equalizer
The match began with both teams feeling each other out, but Malmö created the first real chance in the 12th minute when an error in Galatasaray’s defense allowed a ball to be played behind the backline. Andreas Christensen was on the end of it but saw his shot deflected wide by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Galatasaray, who struggled to build their rhythm in the opening stages, had a scare in the 17th minute when Malmö had another dangerous opportunity inside the penalty box. However, their defense stood firm to prevent a clear shot at goal.
In the 24th minute, the Swedish side took the lead with a well-worked cross from the right side. Malmö’s Lars Stryger Larsen delivered a ball into the penalty area, and Erik Botheim rose to head it past Muslera, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage.
Galatasaray responded well after the goal and found their equalizer in the 33rd minute. The team began to dominate possession, and following an injury to Davinson Sánchez (who was replaced by Kerem Demirbay), the midfield became more compact. On the attack, Kerem Demirbay sent in a cross, and Elias Jelert beautifully finished with the inside of his foot, leaving goalkeeper Johan Persson with no chance. The game was level at 1-1, and Jelert’s first goal for Galatasaray was a much-needed boost.
In injury time, Yunus Akgün almost gave Galatasaray the lead before the break, curling a shot from the left side just wide of the far post after a brilliant individual run. The first half ended with both teams locked at 1-1.
Second Half: Akgün Puts Galatasaray Ahead, But Malmö Respond Late
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with both sides cautious but Galatasaray taking control of possession. In the 56th minute, the Turkish side took the lead through a brilliant collaboration between Dries Mertens and Yunus Akgün. Mertens, with a sublime heel pass, put Akgün into the penalty area, and the winger made no mistake, firing a powerful shot past Persson to give Galatasaray a 2-1 lead.
This was Akgün’s fifth goal of the campaign in the Europa League, and it looked to be enough to secure all three points for Galatasaray.
As the match progressed, Galatasaray’s defense held firm, and a substitution in the 73rd minute saw Victor Nelsson replace Dries Mertens, adding more solidity to the backline. Despite some near misses, including a disallowed goal from Michy Batshuayi due to offside in the 74th minute and another from Batshuayi in the 81st minute, Galatasaray looked comfortable.
However, Malmö pushed forward in the closing stages, and in the 90+2nd minute, they found a dramatic equalizer. Sergio Pena struck a powerful shot to the far post, which Muslera managed to get a hand to, but the ball ricocheted off the post and into the net, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. It was a cruel blow for Galatasaray, who had looked set to claim the victory.
Looking Ahead
The 2-2 draw ensures Galatasaray remain unbeaten in the group stage, with 12 points, but the late goal from Malmö means they will have to wait for their final position in the standings. The team will now shift their focus to their upcoming Süper Lig match against Trabzonspor as they look to maintain their strong domestic form.
Galatasaray's next Europa League match will be against Dynamo Kyiv at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex, where they will aim to extend their unbeaten run and secure top spot in their group.
Galatasaray XI: Muslera, Sanchez (Demirbay 33’), Baltaci, Bardakci, Torreira, Sara (Ziyech 84’), Jelert (Akman 84’), Kutlu, Mertens (Nelsson 73’), Akgün, Batshuayi.
Malmö XI: Persson, Stryger Larsen, Rösler, Zatterström, Busanello, Christiansen, Johnsen, Rosengren, Bolin, Rieks, Botheim.
The team will hope to learn from this draw as they look to improve ahead of their next challenge.
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