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Galatasaray
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 21, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Benfica

2-1

Inan (19' pen.), Podolski (33')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Gaitan (2')

Half-Time Report: Galatasaray bounce back to lead Benfica

Goals from Selcuk Inan and Lukas Podolski cancel out Nicolas Gaitan's opener and give Galatasaray a 2-1 half-time lead against Benfica.

Galatasaray have recovered from going a goal down early on to lead Benfica 2-1 at half time in their Champions League clash at the Turk Telekom Arena thanks to strikes from Selcuk Inan and Lukas Podolski.

Nicolas Gaitan had got the visitors off to the perfect start with a deft finish inside the opening two minutes for his third Champions League goal of the season.

Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Gaitan scores during the UEFA Champions League football match between Galatasaray AS and SL Benfica at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleks stadium in Istanbul on October 21, 2015.© Getty Images

Wesley Sneijder then took charge of a free kick 30 yards from goal after Bilal Kisa had been fouled, but the Dutch midfielder saw his effort comfortably saved by Julio Cesar.

Hakan Balta saw his header from a Sneijder corner tipped away by Cesar, before Podolski's shot was deflected clear as the home side searched for a way back into the game.

However, the leveller came courtesy of a mistake from Rui Vitoria's side as Selcuk fired home from the penalty spot after Andre Almeida had been penalised for handball.

Podolski volleyed an effort narrowly wide on the half-hour mark, before the former Arsenal man completed a first-half comeback for the Turkish champions with a powerful strike that caught Cesar out.

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Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Gaitan celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SL Benfica at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on September 30, 2015
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