Eyüpspor Snatches Victory in VAR-Marred Thriller

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 63/100. Three goals in 67 minutes, a VAR penalty confirmation, and a substitute's match-winning strike—this was the kind of chaotic, absorbing Süper Lig encounter that defines opening-day football.

Lightning Start Sets the Tone

Eyüpspor didn't waste a second. In the opening minute, S. Seslar finished clinically after Y. Kayan picked him out, and the home side had already seized control. The intensity was immediate—a statement of intent from the hosts that Alanyaspor's defence couldn't immediately absorb. Early goalmouth action set the stage for what would become a breathless 90 minutes.

VAR Intervention Shifts Balance

At 65 minutes, the match pivoted. VAR confirmed a penalty against Eyüpspor, and F. Hadergjonaj stepped up two minutes later to level at 1-1. The technology's intervention—whether controversial or not—gave Alanyaspor a lifeline. Yet the momentum belonged to neither team; chaos reigned. Eyüpspor's response was swift and decisive.

Ampem's Moment of Magic

One minute after Hadergjonaj's penalty, P. O. Ampem struck. The substitute, introduced earlier in the second half, collected Lucas Calegari's pass and fired past the keeper. That 68th-minute goal wasn't just a third strike—it was the moment Eyüpspor seized the psychological advantage and never released it. Marcos Felipe (8.2 rating) anchored the defence brilliantly, ensuring the home side's 2-1 scoreline held firm.

The data told a peculiar story: Alanyaspor dominated possession (56%) and fired 12 shots, yet only 2 found the target. Eyüpspor, with just 5 shots, converted 3. That clinical finishing—coupled with lead changes (3 in total) that kept fans on edge—proved the difference. This wasn't the prettiest victory, but it was the most necessary: a three-pointer for Eyüpspor's season.