Galatasaray vs. Barcelona result: Aubameyang nets winner as Xavi's side progress.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner as Barcelona made it through to the quarterfinals of the Europa League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Galatasaray.

Following a goalless first leg, Galatasaray opened the scoring in this fixture as Marcao scored with an emphatic header.

Barcelona tried their utmost to respond and they eventually did so through Pedri, who scored a sublime goal as he tormented the Galatasaray defence prior to scoring.

Just after half time Barcelona took the lead as Aubameyang scored from close range after he was found by Frenkie De Jong. 

Barcelona have shown some significant signs of improvement under Xavi and they were resilient on this occasion as they dealt well with a determined Galatasaray team and a spirited home crowd.

The game was briefly paused when Barcelona defender Jordi Alba complained about being hit by an object which was thrown from the crowd.

Although they will feel that they truly belong in the Champions League, Barcelona are still determined to secure Europa League glory this season, and tonight they took another significant step towards achieving that object. 

MORE: Complete Europa League Round of 16 schedule

Galatasaray vs. Barcelona live score   1H 2H Final Galatasaray 1 1 1 Barcelona 1 2 2

Goals: 28th min - GAL - Marcao

37th min - BAR - Pedri

50th min- BAR - Aubameyang

Final: Galatasaray 1, Barcelona 2

(All times Eastern)

Galatasaray vs. Barcelona live updates

Full time: Galatasaray 1-2 Barcelona: They had to work hard for it, but Barcelona are through to the quarterfinals of the Europa League. Marcao put Galatasaray ahead, but Pedri scored a fine equaliser for Barcelona and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted what proved to be the decisive goal.

90 + 2 mins: Ferran Torres is played through and ends up striking the crossbar. The offside flag was up in any case. Depay then drags an effort wide. 

90 mins: Bayram is booked for bringing down Depay. We are into six minutes of stoppage time, with Depay swinging in a free-kick from which Busquets shoots wide. 

85 mins: Jordi Alba is livid at being struck by objects thrown at him from the Galatasaray fans, which causes a fracas to break out between both sets of players. Alba gets a yellow card for kicking the ball into the crowd. 

83 mins: Akturkoglu is looking dangerous and is making life difficult for Barcelona, with his ball in deflecting off Araujo and into the path of Ter Stegen. Bayram is on for Galatasaray in place of Van Aanholt. 

80 mins: Galatasaray's Akturkoglu sends the ball across goal but is unable to find a team-mate. Prior to that Pedri received a yellow card. Barcelona now bring on Lenglet for Pique and Depay for Aubameyang. 

76 mins: Dervisoglu goes for goal from a difficult angle but his effort is wide. Time is running out for Galatasaray. 

71 mins: Van Aanholt is booked for a challenge on Gavi. Dembele then takes a free-kick which ends up hitting Babel in the face, with the Galatasaray player having to be replaced by Dervisoglu. Another change sees Morutan come on for Cicaldau. 

68 mins: Gavi replaces Frenkie De Jong for Barcelona, who are continuing to make matters difficult for Galatasaray. With just over 20 minutes remaining, can the Catalan club see the game out and progress to the quarterfinals? 

62 mins: Mohamed replaces Gomis for Galatasaray. At the moment Barcelona are controlling the game well and are playing some neat passes. Cicaldau claimed he was fouled by Alba in the penalty area but play is waved on. 

59 mins: Van Aanholt goes for goal with a fiercely struck curled effort that goes just over. This game is certainly far from over, with Galatasaray causing problems for Barcelona.

55 mins: Barcelona defender Sergino Dest goes off injured, with Ronald Araujo replacing him. Galatasaray are looking to pull level but Barcelona are withstanding the pressure so far. 

48 mins: GOAL! Galatasaray 1-2 Barcelona: With Galatasaray defender Patrick Van Aanholt off the pitch as he requires treatment, Barcelona take the lead as Aubameyang scores from close range after being found by Frenkie De Jong. 

46 mins: Barcelona make a change ahead of the start of the second half, with Ousmane Dembele entering the fray in place of Adama Traore. Could that switch help Barcelona to progress?

PEDRI, TAKE A BOW ????

Barcelona are right back in it ???? pic.twitter.com/F4S89Epe1f

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 17, 2022

GALATASARAY TAKE THE LEAD OVER BARCELONA ???? pic.twitter.com/ojbsQ1kmw4

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 17, 2022

Half time: Galatasaray 1-1 Barcelona: We've reached half time in the second leg and it's still not clear who will progress. Galatasaray have given a good account of themselves and took the lead through Marcao, but Barcelona have grown into the game, with Pedri scoring a fine equaliser. An intriguing second half awaits, with extra-time a possibility thereafter. 

45 mins: In the closing stages of the first half Adama Traore sends in a cross which finds Aubameyang, whose header ends up hitting the crossbar. 

40 mins: Eric Garcia is booked for a challenge on Marcao, which seems somewhat harsh as the Barcelona defender appeared to be trying to get out of the way. 

36 mins: GOAL! Galatasaray 1-1 Barcelona: Now Pedri does find the net, with the midfielder causing problems for Galatasaray before finishing with excellent composure. Pedri shows such grace to work space for himself and didn't appear pressurised at any point. A fantastic goal.

34 mins: Pedri weaves his way through the Galatasaray defence but his shot ends up going wide. Galatasaray appear full of confidence after taking the lead and they will look to get to half time with their advantage intact. 

28 mins: GOAL! Galatasaray 1-0 Barcelona: Galatasaray take the lead, with Marcao scoring with an emphatic header following a corner. Marcao is booked for damaging the corner flag. 

27 mins: Sergio Busquets is booked for a late challenge on Cicaldau, and the Barcelona midfielder left frustrated at the treatment that Galatasaray have given Adama Traore. 

25 mins: Barcelona are trying to get the ball in towards Aubameyang but the Galatasaray defence are working arduously to cut out the danger. At the other end Sergino Dest has to make an impressive interception. Barcelona certainly aren't having things all their own way.

17 mins: The battle between Adama Traore and Patrick Van Aanholt, who have previously played against each other in the Premier League, is a key one. Van Aanholt gets away with a challenge on the winger on this occasion but Traore will surely cause further problems as the game progresses.

13 mins: Galatasaray have given a good account of themselves so far and Ryan Babel forces a save from Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. The home side are certainly benefitting from the excellent support that their fans are giving them. 

8 mins: Barcelona have their first real opening as Ferran Torres cuts inside and shoots over. Their second chance follows shortly afterwards as Sergio Busquets plays a superb pass into the path of Frenkie De Jong, but the midfielder's effort lacks conviction and goes wide. 

5 mins: Gomis manages to get in behind following a long all over the top but Barcelona defender Jordi Alba makes an excellent block. Akturkoglu later sends an effort over. 

2 mins: Every Barcelona touch is being booed by the vociferous Galatasaray crowd. The Turkish side have worked hard to close Barcelona down but there haven't been any clear cut chances yet. 

1.45 p.m.: The game is underway. It should be a very entertaining encounter. 

1.41 p.m.: The teams are entering the pitch with kick-off rapidly approaching. With the game tied at 0-0 from the first leg there is certainly all to play for. 

1.37 p.m.: Barcelona have a rich history in the Champions League having won the competition five times, and they also won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (one of the forerunners of the Europa League) on three occasions. Tonight they could take a step closer to adding to their European trophy haul. 

1.30 p.m.: The atmosphere inside the Nef Stadium is already heating up, which will add to the intensity of this encounter.

What an atmosphere! #GalatasarayBarça pic.twitter.com/WDMzxT8DlI

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 17, 2022

1.19 p.m.: Bafetimbi Gomis has scored 12 goals for Galatasaray this season but this is just his second Europa League appearance of the campaign. Could the 36-year-old help the Turkish side knock Barcelona out?

1.10 p.m.: Barcelona's front three of Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres should be capable of causing plenty of problems for the Galatasaray defence and could prove difficult to stop.

12.59 p.m.: Galatasaray team:

#GalaXI #GSvBarça #UEL ???? pic.twitter.com/BNDUNoA6vG

— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) March 17, 2022

12.56 p.m.: Barcelona team:

Barça XI#GalatasarayBarça???????????? pic.twitter.com/YCuFwdyvwr

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 17, 2022

12:45 p.m.: Galatasaray's home stadium is renowned for its atmosphere and it should be rocking on Thursday with the series in the balance.

????️ NEF Stadyumu

???????? The calm before the storm pic.twitter.com/5CbD1jMkkz

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 17, 2022

Galatasaray vs. Barcelona lineups

Galatasaray starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Pena (GK) — Boey, Marcao, Nelsson, Van Aanholt — Antalyali, Kutlu — Babel, Cicaldau, Akturkoglu — Gomis

Galatasaray subs (12): Muslera (GK), Cipe (GK), Ozturk, Mohamed, Pulgar, Bayram, Morutan, Arslan, Yilmaz, Kilinc, Dervisoglu.

Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen — Dest, Pique, Garcia, Alba — Pedri, Busquets, F. De Jong — Traore, Aubameyang, Torres.

Barcelona subs (12): Neto, Tenas, Araujo, Puig, Dembele, Depay, Braithwaite, Lenglet, L. De Jong, Mingueza, Nico, Gavi. 

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