Gaziantep's Final Flourish: Holds Samsunspor in Six-Pointer Thriller

Must Watch Futmetrix Score: 93/100. Two title contenders collided in a match where Gaziantep's 70-minute dominance and Samsunspor's numerical disadvantage created a classic that swung on a single moment of brilliance.

Early Shock, Swift Response

Samsunspor stunned the hosts with Rick Van Drongelen's fourth-minute header—Satka's assist found the defender unmarked at the back post. But Gaziantep answered swiftly. By the 19th minute, Cherif Ndiaye extended Samsunspor's lead to 2-0. Yet intensity was building. Kévin Rodrigues' creativity and Alexandru Maxim's eight key passes seized control of the pitch for the home side, who dominated possession at 70%.

Red Card Reversal and Dramatic Finish

At 45+5, the match pivoted: Ndiaye saw red. Gaziantep had fired 30 shots across 70 minutes of suffocation but trailed 2-1. Ten men defending, Samsunspor faced 20 corners and relentless pressure. But football wrote its own script. In the 75th minute, Abena finished Rodrigues' assist for 2-2. Balance restored—Gaziantep's title hopes intact.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Gaziantep's 89% pass accuracy and 30 shots versus Samsunspor's nine tells the story of asymmetric dominance. Yet Camara's introduction at 30 minutes—capped by his assist—shifted second-half momentum. A red card at 45+5 forced Samsunspor into nine-man survival mode. Thirteen corners, relentless attacking siege, 39 total shots: this was intensity distilled. Both sides claimed a point, but Gaziantep's home advantage and championship aspirations endure.