Match report

Galatasaray Defeats Sparta Praha 3-2 in Europa League Thriller

Galatasaray
Galatasaray
3–2
FT
Sparta Praha
Sparta Praha
Feb 15, 2024

Galatasaray emerged victorious in their UEFA Europa League clash against Sparta Praha, defeating them 3-2 with crucial contributions from K. Demirbay, Dries Mertens, and Mauro Icardi. The match was a rollercoaster of events, including red cards for both teams, which added to the drama.

Key Facts

  • • Galatasaray secured a 3-2 win against Sparta Praha in UEFA Europa League action.
  • • K. Demirbay opened the scoring at the 19th minute, assisted by Mauro Icardi.
  • • Dries Mertens added to Galatasaray's lead with his goal at the 60th minute, also assisted by Icardi.
  • • Sparta Praha equalized through goals from A. Preciado (47') and J. Kuchta (65').
  • • Mauro Icardi scored a late winner in stoppage time to seal the victory for Galatasaray.

Lineups

Galatasaray

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 F. Muslera (G)
  • 23 K. Ayhan (D)
  • 25 V. Nelsson (D)
  • 6 D. Sánchez (D)
  • 18 B. Kutlu (D)
  • 8 K. Demirbay (M)
  • 34 L. Torreira (M)
  • 53 B. Yılmaz (M)
  • 10 D. Mertens (M)
  • 7 K. Aktürkoğlu (M)
  • 9 M. Icardi (F)

Substitutes

  • 42 A. Bardakcı
  • 14 W. Zaha
  • 20 Tetê
  • 95 Carlos Vinícius
  • 91 T. Ndombélé
  • 19 G. Güvenç
  • 83 E. Akman
  • 81 H. Akman
  • 27 Sérgio Oliveira
  • 72 A. Bülbül
  • 56 B. Demiroğlu
  • 58 A. Yeşilyurt

Sparta Praha

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 1 P. Vindahl (G)
  • 41 M. Vitík (D)
  • 25 A. Sørensen (D)
  • 37 L. Krejčí (D)
  • 2 Á. Preciado (M)
  • 6 K. Kairinen (M)
  • 20 Q. Laçi (M)
  • 32 M. Ryneš (M)
  • 10 A. Karabec (F)
  • 9 J. Kuchta (F)
  • 14 V. Birmančević (F)

Substitutes

  • 22 L. Haraslín
  • 4 M. Solbakken
  • 28 T. Wiesner
  • 18 L. Sadílek
  • 7 V. Olatunji
  • 49 A. Ševínský
  • 26 P. Vydra
  • 24 V. Vorel
  • 19 J. Mejdr
  • 21 J. Pešek
  • 11 I. Tuci
  • 27 F. Panák

Timeline

  1. Galatasaray
    19' Galatasaray Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Demirbay · Assist: M. Icardi
  2. Sparta Praha
    41' Sparta Praha Card · Yellow Card
    Qazim Laci

    Argument

  3. Galatasaray
    47' Galatasaray Card · Yellow Card
    B. A. Yilmaz

    Foul

  4. Sparta Praha
    47' Sparta Praha Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Preciado
  5. Sparta Praha
    49' Sparta Praha Card · Yellow Card
    M. Ryneš

    Foul

  6. Galatasaray
    55' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Ayhan · On: Abdülkerim Bardakçı
  7. Galatasaray
    60' Galatasaray Goal · Normal Goal
    Dries Mertens · Assist: M. Icardi
  8. Galatasaray
    62' Galatasaray Card · Red Card
    Victor Nelsson

    Professional foul last man

  9. Sparta Praha
    65' Sparta Praha subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Karabec · On: L. Haraslín
  10. Sparta Praha
    65' Sparta Praha Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Kuchta · Assist: A. Preciado
  11. Sparta Praha
    74' Sparta Praha subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Qazim Laci · On: M. Solbakken
  12. Sparta Praha
    74' Sparta Praha subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Preciado · On: T. Wiesner
  13. Sparta Praha
    79' Sparta Praha Card · Yellow Card
    Veljko Birmančević

    Time wasting

  14. Sparta Praha
    80' Sparta Praha Card · Yellow Card
    M. Ryneš

    Foul

  15. Sparta Praha
    80' Sparta Praha Card · Red Card
    M. Ryneš

    Foul

  16. Sparta Praha
    82' Sparta Praha Card · Yellow Card
    Ladislav Krejčí

    Argument

  17. Galatasaray
    83' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Demirbay · On: W. Zaha
  18. Galatasaray
    84' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 3
    Off: K. Akturkoglu · On: Tete
  19. Sparta Praha
    84' Sparta Praha subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Veljko Birmančević · On: Lukáš Sadílek
  20. Sparta Praha
    84' Sparta Praha subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Kuchta · On: V. Olatunji
  21. Galatasaray
    90'+1 Galatasaray subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Dries Mertens · On: Carlos Vinicius
  22. Galatasaray
    90'+1 Galatasaray Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Icardi · Assist: B. A. Yilmaz
  23. Galatasaray
    90' Galatasaray subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Torreira · On: T. Ndombele

Match Stats

Stat Galatasaray Sparta Praha
Fouls 6 14
Pass Accuracy 80% 75%
Offsides 5 3
Red Cards 1 1
Total Shots 15 11
Corners 5 4
Total Passes 435 369
Yellow Cards 2 5
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 5 6
xG 1.07 1.90
Shots off Target 6 4
Possession 55% 45%
Accurate Passes 347 275
Shots Inside Box 7 8
Saves 4 2
Shots Outside Box 8 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Galatasaray took an early lead through Demirbay, but Sparta Praha quickly equalized with goals from Preciado and Kuchta.
  • ▸ The match turned dramatically when Victor Nelsson received a red card for Galatasaray at the 62nd minute, leaving them down to ten men.
  • ▸ Despite being reduced to ten players, Dries Mertens scored a crucial goal in the 60th minute to regain the lead.
  • ▸ Sparta Praha's hopes were further dashed when M. Ryneš was sent off with another red card at the 80th minute.