In a thrilling encounter in the UEFA Europa League, Galatasaray clashed with Latvia’s Rigas Skola, resulting in a dramatic 2-2 draw after the Turkish side initially established a 2-0 lead.
The match took place under the watchful eye of Slovak referee Filip Glova and marked Galatasaray’s second group-stage game, following their impressive 3-1 victory over PAOK in their opener.
The action began in the 12th minute when Dries Mertens showcased his skills by scoring the opening goal, putting Galatasaray ahead.
Building on this momentum, Yunus Akgun doubled the lead just before halftime in the 38th minute, giving the visitors a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
However, the excitement shifted dramatically when, just a minute later, Rigas Skola’s Ikaunieks struck back, narrowing the score to 2-1 and injecting new life into the home team’s spirits.
The second half saw a relentless Rigas Skola pushing for an equalizer, which they found in the 55th minute when Odisharia capitalized on a defensive lapse to level the score at 2-2.
The atmosphere in the stadium turned electric as both teams sought to secure a vital win.
Traveling to Latvia, Galatasaray faced significant challenges, missing four key players due to various circumstances. Injuries sidelined star players Hakim Ziyech and Victor Osimhen, while Roland Sallai was excluded from the UEFA roster.
Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was suspended for the match. In response to these absences, head coach Okan Buruk made six tactical changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous match against Kasımpaşa. Günay stepped in for Muslera in goal, Kaan took over Osimhen’s position, and Torreira filled in for Sallai.
Meanwhile, Kerem Demirbay, Elias Jelert, and Victor Nelsson started the match on the bench, showcasing the depth of the squad.
Despite their strong start, Galatasaray ultimately left Latvia with only one point from their second group-stage match, reflecting the competitive nature of the Europa League and setting the stage for further challenges ahead in their campaign.
