Fenerbahçe's Comeback Masterclass: From Brink of Defeat to Derby Glory Against Ten Men
Must Watch Futmetrix Score: 100/100. Beşiktaş's early dominance and numerical advantage crumbled against Fenerbahçe's relentless pressure and a substitute's 83rd-minute killer blow—the Istanbul derby delivered theatre in its rawest form.
Touré's Lightning Start to Kökcü's Red Card Reversal
Beşiktaş came out swinging with intensity that threatened to define the afternoon. El Bilal Touré struck in the 5th minute, converting Václav Cerný's assist to hand the hosts an early lead. By the 22nd minute, Emrecan Topcu doubled the advantage with Touré's assist, and Beşiktaş appeared destined for victory. Then came minute 26: Orkun Kökcü's red card—upgraded by VAR for a foul—sent Beşiktaş down to ten men and shattered the balance entirely. What had looked like a home triumph suddenly hung in the balance.
Fenerbahçe's Relentless Storm: Ten Men Cannot Hold
Fenerbahçe seized the moment with the hunger of a team refusing to surrender. İsmail Yüksek pulled one back at 32 minutes, signalling the comeback was alive. Then Marco Asensio levelled at 45 minutes—the half ended 2-2, with all the stakes still in play. The second half belonged entirely to the visitors. Substitute Jürgen Duran, introduced at 66 minutes, delivered the knockout punch in the 83rd: 3-2. The match exploded into a five-goal thriller—32 combined shots, 14 on target, three lead changes, and one moment of VAR intervention that flipped the script.
The Numbers Vindicate Fenerbahçe's Dominance
Possession tells the story: Fenerbahçe controlled 68% to Beşiktaş's 32%. The shot count—23 to 9—proves Fenerbahçe's suffocating pressure. Touré's double (goal and assist) would normally crown a man-of-the-match performance, but Fenerbahçe's collective machine overwhelmed individual brilliance. Duran's introduction showcased tactical flexibility; his goal sealed a statement victory. For Fenerbahçe, sitting second with 25 points and unbeaten, this win reinforced title credentials. For Beşiktaş, now seventh on 17 points, the red card proved the fatal blow—a lesson in how one moment can unravel a promising afternoon.
Key Questions
How did Orkun Kökcü's red card reshape the match?
The 26th-minute red card reduced Beşiktaş to ten men. Fenerbahçe immediately seized the numerical advantage, scoring two of their three goals thereafter. The red card transformed momentum irreversibly.
Why wasn't El Bilal Touré awarded Man of the Match?
Touré's goal-and-assist (8.9 rating) shone individually, but Fenerbahçe's collective dominance—68% possession, 23 shots—and Asensio and Yüksek's vital goals overshadowed Beşiktaş's early brilliance.
What triggered this five-goal explosion?
Beşiktaş's early lead, Kökcü's red card, Fenerbahçe's relentless second-half pressure, three lead changes, and Duran's 83rd-minute killer—all the derby's classic ingredients collided into chaos.
What is the Beşiktaş-Fenerbahçe Derby?
The Beşiktaş-Fenerbahçe Derby is the rivalry between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, one of football's most historic and fiercely contested fixtures.
Why is this match rated 100/100?
Our Futmetrix algorithm analyzed intensity, balance, and stakes. The final score of 100/100 places this match in the "Must Watch" category.
