Champions League Highlights: Atalanta and Galatasaray Secure Epic Wins

Published: 26 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The European football landscape shifted dramatically on Wednesday night as the Champions League provided a masterclass in sporting tension and late drama. Fans across the continent witnessed a series of remarkable turnarounds that defined the spirit of elite competition in every sense. At the heart of the action, Atalanta produced a breathtaking performance to overcome a significant first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund. This specific Champions League encounter will be remembered for its physical intensity and a conclusion that left spectators breathless until the final whistle. The Italian side demonstrated incredible resilience to secure their place among the final sixteen teams in the competition this year. Their victory was a testament to tactical discipline and an unwavering belief in their attacking philosophy under pressure.

Lazar Samardzic became the hero of the evening by slotting home a stoppage-time penalty to seal a four-one win. This result completed a dramatic comeback which saw the Italian outfit progress with a four-three aggregate triumph overall. The match reached a boiling point when Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini was dismissed after a dangerous challenge in the area. His studs caught the head of Nikola Krstovic during a desperate attempt to clear the ball late on. Samardzic remained remarkably calm under the immense pressure of the ninety-eighth minute to convert the winning spot kick. This successful strike ensured that the Italians would move forward to face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich. The draw for the next round is scheduled to take place this coming Friday afternoon.

Atalanta entered the second leg trailing by two goals following a disappointing loss in Germany last week. They knew an early goal was essential to unsettle their disciplined opponents from the very beginning. Gianluca Scamacca provided exactly what was required by tapping in at the far post after five minutes. This dream start ignited the home crowd and shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the hosts. Dortmund struggled to contain the early waves of pressure but did manage to create several scoring opportunities. Their goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, was forced into several high-quality saves to keep his side in the hunt. He denied Nicola Zalewski twice during a frantic first half that saw chances at both ends.

Despite the heroics of the visiting goalkeeper, the deadlock was broken again just before the half-time interval. Davide Zappacosta unleashed a powerful effort that took a significant deflection off Bensebaini and into the net. This fortunate turn of events brought the aggregate score level and set the stage for a tense second half. Marco Carnesecchi then produced what many observers called the save of the match in the forty-ninth minute. He tipped a low drive from Serhou Guirassy around the post to maintain the two-goal lead on the night. Dortmund continued to threaten and almost found a way back into the tie shortly after that moment. Maximilian Beier saw his well-placed shot strike the post and bounce clear to safety for the hosts.

The momentum swung back toward the Italian side when Mario Pasalic rose highest to meet a cross. His header at the far post made the score three-nil and gave his team control. Dortmund responded by introducing Karim Adeyemi, whose blistering pace immediately altered the dynamic of the visiting attack. He managed to pull a goal back with a stunning curled effort into the top corner. This goal moved the visitors within touching distance of taking the contest into a period of extra time. However, the dramatic conclusion was triggered by a defensive error during a crowded sequence in the penalty box. Bensebaini attempted a backheel clearance but accidentally struck Krstovic, who was left bleeding on the turf.

The subsequent VAR review was lengthy and filled with tension as the referee studied the pitchside monitor. Eventually, the penalty was awarded, and Samardzic stepped up to finish the job with the last kick. Sead Kolasinac later described the final moments as a true whirlwind of emotions for every player involved. He admitted that the team was unsure who would take the penalty since regular takers had been substituted. Emre Can expressed deep disappointment after the match, citing individual errors as the reason for their painful exit. The Dortmund captain noted that such mistakes make it nearly impossible to progress at this elite level. He honestly admitted that his side did not deserve to advance based on their overall defensive performance.

In another high-stakes fixture, Paris Saint-Germain managed to edge out a ten-man Monaco side to reach the next stage. The two-two draw on the night was enough to give the holders a narrow aggregate victory. Luis Enrique saw his team struggle at times despite holding a slender lead from the first leg. Monaco took the lead through Maghnes Akliouche, which momentarily leveled the entire tie and silenced the home supporters. The game shifted when Mamadou Coulibaly was shown a red card, leaving the visitors a man down. This dismissal acted as a catalyst for the Parisian side to regain their typical dominance on the ball. Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both found the net to seemingly put the result beyond any doubt.

A late goal from Jordan Teze ensured a nervous finish for the reigning champions in the final minutes. Désiré Doué admitted after the game that the late surge from Monaco created a very stressful atmosphere. He emphasized the importance of learning how to manage games better when playing from a winning position. The objective for the club remains to dominate matches from start to finish without conceding late goals. Despite the scare, the French giants remain one of the favorites to lift the trophy again. Their ability to navigate difficult periods in a match proves they possess the mental strength required for success. Fans are now eagerly looking forward to seeing who they will face in the quarter-final round.

The drama continued in Turkey, where Galatasaray faced a spirited challenge from a determined Juventus squad on Wednesday. The Italian giants were trailing by three goals from the first leg and faced an uphill battle. Manuel Locatelli provided a glimmer of hope with a penalty, but their task became harder after a dismissal. Lloyd Kelly was sent off early in the second half, leaving the visitors in a precarious situation. Against all odds, the Italian side fought back to force the game into a period of extra time. Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie scored crucial goals that stunned the home crowd and leveled the aggregate. It was a remarkable display of grit from a team playing with one fewer player on the field.

However, the physical toll of playing with ten men eventually caught up with the exhausted Juventus players. Galatasaray took advantage of the tired legs and found the goals they needed to secure their progression. Victor Osimhen scored a vital goal in extra time to restore the lead for the Turkish champions. Baris Yilmaz added another late strike to confirm a seven-five aggregate victory after a truly epic battle. This result means the Turkish side will now prepare for a meeting with either Liverpool or Tottenham. The Champions League continues to deliver the kind of excitement that justifies its reputation as the greatest club competition. Every match tonight served as a reminder that no lead is ever truly safe until the end.

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