Batrakov scores in second straight Champions League match as Galatasaray beat Lille
In short
Russian midfielder Alexei Batrakov scored in the 44th minute for Galatasaray against Lille in the third round of the Champions League main stage on 21 October 2026, making it 2:2. Russian outlets say it was his second Champions League goal in a row, and RIA Novosti reported that Galatasaray went on to win.
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Russian midfielder Alexei Batrakov scored for Turkey's Galatasaray in a third-round Champions League main-stage match against France's Lille, RIA Novosti reported. He equalised in the 44th minute, making it 2:2. The match was played in Villeneuve-d'Ascq and was scheduled to start at 19:45 on 21 October 2026. Interfax described the goal as coming at the end of the first half. [ 1 , 4 ]
The outlets said it was Batrakov's second Champions League goal in a row. RIA Novosti said he scored his first goal for the team on 13 October against Barcelona, a 1:4 match. TASS wrote that he is the first Russian footballer in six years to score in two Champions League matches in a row. RBC called him a Russia national team player. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
RIA Novosti later headlined that Galatasaray came back and won, and published a separate item with Batrakov's comments on the win over Lille. The documents do not give the final score or the content of his comments. TASS also published an analysis headlined on why his Champions League goals should not be surprising. [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The Russian outlets cover the goal as a notable run for a Russian player abroad, and TASS says no Russian footballer had scored in two Champions League matches in a row for six years. The documents give no wider consequences.
Key facts
- Batrakov, a Russian midfielder at Turkey's Galatasaray, scored against France's Lille in the third round of the Champions League main stage. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The goal came in the 44th minute and made the score 2:2, according to RIA Novosti. [ 1 ]
- The match was played in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, with a start time of 19:45 on 21 October 2026. [ 1 ]
- It was Batrakov's second Champions League goal in a row; RIA Novosti said his first for the club came on 13 October against Barcelona (1:4). [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]
- TASS said he is the first Russian footballer in six years to score in two Champions League matches in a row. [ 6 ]
- RIA Novosti's later headline said Galatasaray came back and won. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The final score of the match. The documents give only the 2:2 score at the time of Batrakov's goal and say Galatasaray won.
- What Batrakov said about the win. Only the headline of RIA Novosti's report on his comments is available.
- Why TASS says the goals should not be surprising. Only the headline and a one-line summary of the TASS analysis are available.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Scheduled start of the Galatasaray match against Lille. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that Batrakov equalised in the 44th minute to make it 2:2. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports the goal. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reports the goal at the end of the first half. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that Galatasaray won. [ 5 ]
- TASS says Batrakov is the first Russian in six years to score in two Champions League matches in a row. [ 6 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes Batrakov's comments on the win over Lille. [ 7 ]