Galatasaray beat Olimpija Ljubljana

Galatasaray defeated Olimpija Ljubljana 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, taking a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg of the third qualifying round. Turkish striker Kerem Akturkoglu scored early in the first half to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at Stozice Stadium. Dries Mertens, a Belgian midfielder for Galatasaray, extended the lead in the 48th minute.

Mertens attempted a through pass for teammate Baris Alper Yilmaz, but Olimpija Ljubljana custodian Matevz Vidovsek charged him. Mertens tracked down the lost ball and defeated him with a low shot. Galatasaray's Turkish striker Halil Dervisoglu made it 3-0 with a header in the 91st minute. To help him, Akturkoglu whipped a cross from the corner. Galatasaray will have a significant edge in the second leg, which will take place on August 15 at Istanbul's RAMS Park.