BERLIN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt made a dream start to their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray in front of their home fans on Thursday.

Jonathan Burkardt stole the show with a brace on his European debut, while Can Uzun, Ritsu Doan and Ansgar Knauff also played key roles in an emphatic performance.

The night began in frustrating fashion for Frankfurt. Despite showing early initiative, the hosts were stunned when Leroy Sane slipped Yunus Akgun through on goal, and the winger calmly slotted past Kevin Trapp to put Galatasaray ahead after just eight minutes.

The setback rattled the Bundesliga side, but they gradually regained rhythm and pushed higher. Captain Robin Koch saw a header cleared off the line, a moment that seemed to galvanize the Eagles. Their persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Doan's lob deflected off Davinson Sanchez and nestled into the net for the equalizer.

Frankfurt then turned the contest around before halftime. Uzun unleashed a sensational strike from the edge of the box in stoppage time to give the hosts the lead. Barely two minutes later, Burkardt rose highest to head in Fares Chaibi's free kick, sending the stadium into raptures and establishing a 3-1 advantage at the break.

The home side maintained control in the second half. Burkardt doubled his tally in the 66th minute with another header, this time from a Nathaniel Brown cross. Galatasaray, overwhelmed and out of answers, saw their hopes dashed as Knauff capped the victory in the 75th minute with Frankfurt's fifth.

"Nervous start from us. But then we grew into the game after going 1-0 down. It was simply perfect in front of such a crowd. This is an incredible beginning, and I feel very thankful and happy," Burkardt said. ■