Galatasaray vs. Barcelona – Football Match Report – March 17, 2022

Pedri, left, and Frenkie de Jong celebrate after scoring a goal for Barca in the Europa League. ANP via Getty Images

Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Galatasaray 2-1 at the NEF Stadyumu to advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League on Thursday.

The Catalans came into the round of 16 second leg level on aggregate after a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Camp Nou on March 10, before sealing passage with the win in Istanbul.

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The hosts took the lead shortly before the half-hour through Marcao, but Pedri finished off a nice team move by Barca with a lovely display of individual skill to draw his team level before the break.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his fine form for Barca to put Xavi Hernandez’s side in front just after half-time, poking home a Frenkie de Jong assist from close range to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

Ronald Araujo came on for United States international Serginho Dest, who limped off in the 56th minute with an apparent muscle injury just one week before the Americans play Mexico in the first of their final three CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

Galatasaray pushed for an equaliser as the second half played out, but Barca stood tall and saw out the result to book a spot in the quarterfinals, with the draw set to take place on Friday.