Copenhagen beat Galatasaray 1-0 to finish second in Group A and qualify for the Champions League knockout stage.
Copenhagen’s 1-0 Victory Over Galatasaray Ends Manchester United’s Champions League Hopes
Copenhagen beat Galatasaray 1-0 to finish second in Group A and qualify for the Champions League knockout stage. Manchester United lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich, but Copenhagen’s success nullified their chances.
Lukas Lerager’s 58th-minute goal sent Copenhagen to the round of 16 for the second time in club history. Galatasaray dropped into the Europa League after the win, while Manchester United finished last.
A Copenhagen-Galatasaray draw would have kept United’s Champions League ambitions alive. United battled in the group stage, but Copenhagen’s win ended their chances. Galatasaray needed a win to qualify, and their best chance came in stoppage time when Copenhagen’s Kamil Grabara saved Mauro Icardi’s strike. Galatasaray lost despite a late charge and Davinson Sanchez’s blocked header.
Copenhagen Secures Champions League Knockout Spot Despite Lerager’s Late Red Card
Copenhagen‘s important goal scorer, Lukas Lerager, was sent off following two yellow cards in the final minutes. Copenhagen advanced to the knockout stage despite the red card, disappointing Galatasaray. The Danish defense held firm while the Turkish team failed to score.
Copenhagen’s return to the round of 16 after 2010-11 is notable. That time, they met Barcelona but lost to Chelsea in the last 16. Galatasaray hasn’t reached the knockout round since 2013-14. Copenhagen wants to go deeper in the Champions League after the group round.