Galatasaray beats Lokomotiv 3-0 as Lions return to Champions League
Galatasaray's Badou Ndiaye (R) in action against Lokomotiv Moscow's Aleksie Miranchuk (L) during the UEFA Champions League Group D soccer match between Galatasaray Istanbul and Lokomotiv Moscow, in Istanbul, Turkey, 18 September 2018. (EPA Photo)


Galatasaray returned to the Champions League in style on Tuesday, beating Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0.

After spending two seasons outside Europe's premier club competition, the Turkish champion beat its Russian counterpart with high-tempo tactics and swift counterattacks in the Group D game.

Garry Rodrigues gave Galatasaray the lead in the ninth minute with a low hard shot from just outside the penalty area. Lokomotiv keeper Guilherme got a hand to the ball, but couldn't stop it.

Eren Derdiyok doubled Galatasaray's lead in the 67th when he curled a free kick around the Lokomotiv wall. Only Guilherme's outstretched hand stopped Rodrigues making it 3-0 on a breakaway in the 75th.

Galatasaray midfielder Badou Ndiaye was sent off in the 87th after earning a second yellow card for a late tackle on Anton Miranchuk.

Selçuk Inan scored Galatasaray's third from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Guilherme brought down Emre Akbaba on a counterattack.

Porto and Schalke drew 1-1 in the other game in Group D.