Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals

Barcelona fought back to win 2-1 at Galatasaray on Thursday (Mar 17) and advance to the Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate after a scoreless draw in the first leg.
Galatasaray’s Dutch forward Ryan Babel (L) fights for the ball with Barcelona’s Spanish defender Jordi Alba (R) during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 secong leg football match between Galatasaray and Barcelona at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul on March 17, 2022. (Photo by KEMAL ASLAN / AFP)

Barcelona fought back to win 2-1 at Galatasaray on Thursday (Mar 17) and advance to the Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate after a scoreless draw in the first leg.

Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 Second Leg – Galatasaray v FC Barcelona – Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – March 17, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with Frenkie de Jong and teammates REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 Second Leg – Galatasaray v FC Barcelona – Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – March 17, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Brazilian defender Marcao gave the Turkish side the lead in the 28th minute with a diving header from a corner.

Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 Second Leg – Galatasaray v FC Barcelona – Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – March 17, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with Frenkie de Jong and teammates REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Pedri scored the equaliser for Barcelona with a fine individual goal, receiving a pass from Ferran Torres and leaving two defenders on the floor with great skill before tucking home from close range.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang headed against the post before the break and the former Arsenal striker put Barca ahead three minutes into the second half with a close-range header after two magnificent stops by Galatasaray goalkeeper Inaki Pena who is on loan from the Spanish club.

Barca ran down the clock, infuriating the home crowd who started throwing bottles and plastic cups onto the field and the referee stopped the game for a few minutes while the Galatasaray players tried to calm their fans down.

Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 Second Leg – Galatasaray v FC Barcelona – Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – March 17, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Rangers joined Barca in the last eight despite losing 2-1 at Red Star Belgrade, progressing 3-2 on aggregate.

Mirko Ivanic gave the Serbian side hope by scoring the opener early in the first half, but the Scottish side held on and Ryan Kent equalised after the interval.

El Fardou Ben’s goal in stoppage time was too little too late for Red Star.

Barcelona fight back to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 Second Leg – Galatasaray v FC Barcelona – Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – March 17, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with Frenkie de Jong and teammates REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Braga pulled of a spirited 1-1 draw at Monaco, advancing 3-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0 in Portugal.

In Germany, Atalanta won 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen thanks to a late goal from Jeremie Boga and advanced to the quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

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