Champions League: Galatasaray snatch draw to deny Anderlecht

Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz netted a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Anderlecht a first away Champions League win for nine years in a 1-1 Group D draw in Istanbul.

The Belgian side, who have finished bottom in all seven group stage campaigns since they reached the last 16 in 2000/01, looked to be on course for a rare three points when Dennis Praet fired them ahead in the 52nd minute at the Turk Telekom Arena.

Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a great chance to make it 2-0 moments later, which ultimately proved costly.

Galatasaray - now under the guidance of former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli - grew stronger during the closing stages and were eventually rewarded when Yilmaz crashed home following a powerful run by Aurelien Chedjou.

It had been a bright start by the Belgian champions, with Frank Acheampong looking lively.

When Galatasaray managed to get some possession, there was no-one able to get on the end of a delivery from Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

After Anderlecht defender Bram Nuytinck had to be replaced because of injury by Matias Suarez, the visitors went close again in the 26th minute as Ibrahima Conte cut a diagonal shot back across the face of goal when arriving at the far post.

A free-kick from Praet was not cleared and dropped to captain Olivier Deschacht, but his scuffed shot was straight at Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

The ferocious home support demanded a response - and almost got one when Felipe Melo's drive was deflected behind.

Seven minutes before the interval, Galatasaray captain Selcuk Inan curled a 20-yard free-kick just wide following a somewhat harsh handball against Steven Defour.

Galatasaray continued to press at the start of the second half, with Sneijder again stretching the visitors defence.

Anderlecht, however, took the lead in the 52nd minutes when Praet collected a diagonal ball from Defour out on the left and cut inside to the edge of the penalty area before rolling a low shot in off the post.

It should have been 2-0 moments later when Mitrovic was put clear on the break - but the Serbian screwed the ball horribly wide.

Anderlecht goalkeeper Davy Roef, the 20-year-old making his Champions League debut, then produced a good reaction save after Goran Pandev got in at the far post on the end of a sweeping ball from the left.

Despite plenty of possession, Galatasaray had to wait until the first minute of stoppage time to unlock the Belgian club's defence.

After Anderlecht had again given away possession cheaply, Chedjou barged down the left and cut the ball back to Yilmaz, who crashed the ball home from six yards.