Burak Yilmaz grabbed a hat-trick as
Galatasaray kept their hopes of
reaching the UEFA Champions League
knockout stages alive with a fine 3-1
win at CFR Cluj in Group H.
The Turkish side went into the game
without a win in the competition so far
and knowing only a win would
realistically be enough to give them
hope of going through behind group
winners Manchester United.
And the visitors were immediately on
the offensive with Emre Colak coming
close in the sixth minute with a shot
from 12 yards which flashed just wide
of the Romanian goal.
Yilmaz opened his account in the 18th
minute when Selcuk Inan played a
lofted through ball and Yilmaz
connected to head the opener into the
top corner of the net.
Luis Alberto had the first real chance
for Cluj in the 23rd minute when he
brought a save out of Galatasaray
keeper Fernando Muslera, then Modou
Sougou shot wide as the home side
threatened.
Cluj came close again at the start of the
second half as Sasa Bjelanovic flashed
a header just wide, before Sougou
grabbed the equaliser in the 53rd
minute after finishing off a pass from
Rafael Bastos.
Bastos shot over as Cluj pressed for a
second, but against the run of play it
was Galatasaray who went back in
front when Yilmaz netted his second
from close range after a cross from
Hamit Altintop was allowed to run all
the way across the area by the home
defence.
Mario Felguiras had to be alert to
prevent Yilmaz netting his third in the
70th minute, but four minutes later it
came as the striker slid the ball home
from a tight angle to complete his hat-
trick.
Bjelanovic came close again for Cluj in
the dying seconds but Galatasaray
coasted home for a victory which gives
them renewed hope of muscling in on
the knockout stages.
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