Gaziantep and Rizespor Settle Four-Goal Epic in Thrilling Draw

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 71/100. Gaziantep and Rizespor produced a match where early advantage, own-goal chaos, and VAR controversy conspired to deliver a 2-2 draw that left neither side satisfied.

Bayo's Lightning Start Sets the Tone

Two minutes in, M. Bayo was celebrating. Kozlowski's assist found the striker in space, and Gaziantep had drawn first blood with ruthless efficiency. The home side controlled 60% possession and pressed with intensity, but Rizespor's patience paid dividends. By the 29th minute, A. Sowe had restored parity, forcing a balance that would define the entire contest.

Own Goal and Penalty Madness

The 59th minute brought chaos: K. Rodrigues deflected past his own keeper, handing Gaziantep a 2-1 lead. But VAR intervened in the 67th minute, awarding Deian Sorescu a penalty—a decision that raised the match's stakes exponentially. Rodrigues, the architect of Gaziantep's misery moments earlier, stepped up in the 74th minute. M. Kabasakal's assist found him, and the penalty restored equilibrium at 2-2.

Fofana's Heroics Keep Rizespor Alive

Yahia Fofana made seven saves to keep Rizespor competitive despite Gaziantep's 15-shot barrage (9 on target). The goalkeeper's 7.9 rating underscored his dominance. Gaziantep's 3.05 expected goals versus Rizespor's 1.38 told the story of territorial control without clinical finishing. The draw felt inevitable—a match where upset factor and momentum swings left both benches frustrated.