A stoppage-time strike from Burak Yilmaz earned Galatasaray a 1-1 draw with RSC Anderlecht in their opening Group D UEFA Champions League fixture on Tuesday after Dennis Praet had put the visitors on course for victory.
Praet found the opening in the 52nd minute, gathering a cross on the left, passing two players along the edge of the penalty area and firing in a shot to Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s right which flew in off the post.
In stoppage-time Galatasaray’s Aurelien Chedjou broke through the defense on the left of the penalty area and found Burak, who shot past Anderlecht goalkeeper Davy Roef from close range to the relief of the home side.
Photo: AFP
In an open match both sides had chances to give their campaigns a positive start, with Burak failing to connect properly with a pass across the penalty area in the eighth minute.
The visitors sprang into life midway through the first half when Matias Suarez fired in a cross from the left and Ibrahima Conte sending a shot back across the goal and out of play.
Two minutes later, Anderlecht’s Aleksandar Mitrovic forced a save from Muslera.
In the 29th minute a free-kick for the visitors found Anderlecht defender Olivier Deschacht, but he directed his shot straight at Muslera.
Galatasaray responded several minutes later with a couple of efforts, including a shot from Felipe Melo in the 35th minute that was deflected wide.
Shortly after Praet’s goal, Mitrovic had a chance to double the lead, but fired a close-range shot wide.
Galatasaray then resumed the attacking mode in which they had started the half, striker Goran Pandev firing in a shot which was saved by Anderlecht goalkeeper Roef.
The home side kept up the pressure in the final stages and had a string of scoring opportunities before Burak capitalized on his chance in stoppage-time.
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