Bekiroğlu's 85th-Minute Lifeline Denies Göztepe Victory

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 53/100. A late equalizer for a struggling Kayserispor side proved the difference in a match that exposed the gulf between title contenders and relegation battlers fighting for survival.

Cardoso's Early Strike Sets the Stage

In the 60th minute, Miguel Cardoso gave Kayserispor a lifeline with a composed finish, assisted by L. Benes. For a side languishing in 16th place with just 3 points from 5 matches, the goal represented a rare moment of attacking precision. But Göztepe never relented. The visitors, fifth in the table with a +5 goal difference, unleashed 13 shots to Kayserispor's 8, creating relentless intensity across the pitch. The balance of the match tilted decisively toward the away side.

Lis's Heroics and the Super-Sub Transformation

Mateusz Lis was the architect of Göztepe's resistance to defeat, producing 5 vital saves to keep his team in the contest. Then, in the 79th minute, Efkan Bekiroğlu emerged from the bench. Six minutes later, at the 85th-minute mark, the substitute found the back of the net—a dramatic equalizer that shifted the entire emotional landscape of the match. Kayserispor, on the brink of a third consecutive loss, were suddenly reprieved. For Göztepe, a victory that had seemed assured slipped away.

Points Salvaged, Momentum Halted

The statistics tell a story of contrasting trajectories. Göztepe dominated possession (47%) and attempted 13 shots, yet couldn't convert their stakes into three points. Kayserispor controlled 53% possession and made it count with clinical finishing when it mattered. Both sides matched 73% pass accuracy—technical quality was equivalent, but intent differed vastly. For Göztepe, a dropped point in the title race stings. For Kayserispor, a draw against a superior opponent feels like a trophy. Bekiroğlu's late intervention proved that in football, timing and redemption matter more than dominance alone.