Basaksehir 3-4 Leipzig: RB edge Basaksehir out, despite Kahveci hat-trick

Irfan Kahveci-Istanbul Basaksehir

RB Leipzig edge Istanbul Basaksehir in Seven-goal Thriller.

RB Leipzig survived a shock comeback by Istanbul Basaksehir to win away from home in the fifth round of the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Germans who were still leading comfortably by the 66th minute were stunned by two quickfire Irfan Kahveci goals, leading to their hopes of qualification to the next round in tatters. Thankfully, Alexander Sørloth was on hand to bail them and hand them an important win on the night.

Leipzig started the game brightly and could have been ahead in the third minute after Forsberg was released by Mukiele, but the midfielder fired wide and denied Leipzig an early goal.

The visitors contained to probe and were rewarded with a goal in the 26th minute when Sabitzer’s shot from outside the area when past Gunock after it deflected off a combination of Yussuf Poulsen and Skrtel.
The goal gave the visitors more impetus and within 17 minutes they were two goals ahead, this time the goal arriving from the impressive Nordi Mukiele.
Istanbul scored their first a few minutes later through Kahveci, but the real drama was saved till after the break.

The hosts emerging from the break were ahead in the 65 minutes and coasting towards a comfortable win. But unfortunately for Julian Nagelssman‘s side, the hosts and Kahveci had other ideas. The midfielder was allowed space and time at the edge of the box to control and pick his spot to make it 3-2. By the 86th minute, he had levelled the scores, thumping home a sumptuous free-kick to claim his hattrick.

But  Alexander Sørloth spared his side’s blushes with a lucky strike from distance to hand Leipzig an important away three points.  

 Basaksehir will travel to face PSG in their last Champions League match for the season while Leipzig host Manchester United with the hope of qualifying to the next round.