Dzhikiya's Lead Crumbles: Benes Rescues Kayserispor in Final Breath

À Voir Score Futmetrix: 55/100. A defensive masterclass undone by a substitute's late strike—this is the story of how balance shifts in the Süper Lig's unforgiving arena.

Control Without Conviction

Antalyaspor dominated possession with 53% of the ball and 13 shots, but it was Georgiy Dzhikiya who broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a towering header, expertly set up by R. Safuri. The home side looked assured, their 83% pass accuracy and defensive discipline suggesting they had earned their lead. Yet Kayserispor refused to wilt. Despite committing 18 fouls and trailing in most statistical categories, the visitors matched their hosts' intensity with 14 shots of their own. Fourteen corners created relentless pressure; the balance of the match remained precarious.

The Substitute's Salvation

Enter N. Korkmaz. Introduced in the 79th minute, the substitute immediately altered Kayserispor's attacking geometry. When the clock struck 90, László Benes pounced on Korkmaz's assist to level the score—a dramatic equalizer that snatched two points from Antalya's grasp. The lead had changed hands twice; the match's upset factor proved real. Antalya's 10-corner advantage and superior possession meant little when Benes' late intervention arrived.

The Data Tells a Deeper Story

Hasan Yakub İlçin marshalled Antalya's midfield with composure, yet Kayserispor's 0.84 expected goals—higher than Antalya's 0.63—revealed a team that created danger despite their defensive struggles. With 27 combined shots and 10 on target, this was a match where intensity defined the narrative more than tactical superiority. Antalya's 7th-place position offered little comfort; Kayserispor's 15th-place standing suddenly felt less damning.