Galatasaray qualify for UEFA Europa League round of 32 after Champions League defeat

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Istanbul's Galatasaray transferred to UEFA Europa League round of 32 despite losing against Portugal's Porto 2-3 on Dec. 11 in UEFA Champions League.

Following the match at Galatasaray's Turk Telekom Stadium in Istanbul, the Turkish side finished the group matches at third place and qualified for UEFA Europa League round of 32.

Porto scored the goals with Felipe at the 17th minute, Marega at the 42nd minute from a penalty shot and Sergio Oliveira at the 57th minute.

Galatasaray scored the goal with Sofiane Feghouli at the 45th minute from a penalty shot and with Eren Derdiyok at the 65th minute. Feghouli hit the crossbar from another penalty spot at the 67th minute and missed the chance to draw.

To date, the UEFA Champions League Cup has proved elusive for Turkish clubs, with the 'Lions' being the only Turkish club to have won the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup and the 2000 UEFA Super Cup.

Galatasaray's other rivals in Group D, Germany's Schalke 04 beat Russia's Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0.

Porto finished at the top of the group with 16 points followed by Schalke with 11 points, Galatasaray with 4 points and Lokomotiv Moscow with 3 points.

Galatasaray had already lost their chance to advance the last 16 round in UEFA Champions League before the last match against Porto.

Porto and Schalke advanced the last 16 round in UEFA Champions League.