Champions League highlights: Galatasaray 3-2 Real Madrid (3-5 on aggregate)

The running Spanish champions qualify to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite losing to Galatasaray

Real Madrid came to Istanbul already three goals up from the first leg and as Cristiano Ronaldo opened the score eight minutes into the game, the race seemed to be over. Yet 12 minutes into the second half Emmanuel Eboue scored the goal that sparked the hosts to an impressive comeback.

Wesley Sneijder fired home on 70 minutes and Didier Drogba finished with a beautiful backheeled flick just two minutes later and the Turks were close to shocking Madrid fans. But after Alvaro Arbeloa received a late red card, Ronaldo shot home a second in injury time to finally end Galatasaray’s brave resistance.

You learn from your mistakes; the team always give their best but from time to time we make mistakes – this can happen, and the best thing is it happened now and not in a decisive game. The most important thing is that Real Madrid are in the semi-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Their crowd push them on – you’re aware of it, but it’s great playing a game in this kind of atmosphere. We suffered but you have to do that if you want to win this competition. After so many years of not getting this far, we’re in the semi-finals for the third year running. Let’s hope this year’s the one where we get to the final.

Gonzalo Higuaín