VAR Rescues Beşiktaş as Samsunspor Keeps Title Hopes Alive

À Voir Score Futmetrix: 58/100. Beşiktaş's battle to climb from seventh place collided with Samsunspor's mission to defend fourth, producing a six-pointer decided by VAR intervention and two penalty-kick dramas.

The VAR Lifeline

In the 38th minute, Salih Uçan was awarded a penalty—only for VAR to overturn the decision. This critical intervention proved pivotal as Beşiktaş fought to control the match. Ersin Destanoğlu's five saves kept the hosts afloat against Samsunspor's aggressive pressing. The intensity was relentless: with 83% pass accuracy, Beşiktaş dominated possession (62%) but lacked the clinical edge to convert dominance into goals. The balance of power swung on fine margins.

Penalties and Lead Changes

C. Under's 57th-minute penalty gave Beşiktaş the lead. But C. Ndiaye's 66th-minute equaliser from open play restored parity. The lead changed hands twice—a testament to the match's unpredictability. Samsunspor's six shots all found the target, exposing a defence under constant duress. Beşiktaş countered with 14 attempts, yet an xG of 1.61 revealed the finishing gap. The shooting volume (28 combined) created a frantic, open contest.

Title Race Stakes

Samsunspor's 24 points and fourth-place position versus Beşiktaş's 21 points and seventh-place standing underscored the six-pointer's weight. Samsunspor's remarkable record—just one loss in 13 games, six wins and six draws—marks them as genuine title contenders. Their +7 goal difference is elite. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, relied on Emirhan Topçu's outstanding defensive display to preserve their home advantage. The draw served both: Samsunspor maintained their ascent, Beşiktaş kept the upset factor alive in the championship race.