2025–26 Ziraat Türkiye Cup Quarterfinal and Semifinal Matches

The draw to determine the quarterfinal and semifinal matchups of the Ziraat Turkey Cup, organized by the Turkish Football Federation, took place on 11 March 2026. This event, attended by club officials, was held at the Ziraat Bank Auditorium within the Istanbul Finance Center and broadcast live on the A Spor channel. According to information released during the draw, it was also announced to the public that starting from the new season, the Turkey Cup will be played under a knockout format.

Draw Results

The teams participating in the draw were divided into two separate pots: seeded teams and unseeded teams. According to the classification, Beşiktaş A.Ş., Galatasaray A.Ş., Samsunspor A.Ş. and Tümosan Konyaspor were included as seeded teams. On the other hand, Corendon Alanyaspor, Fenerbahçe A.Ş., Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği and Trabzonspor A.Ş. were placed in the unseeded teams category.

Seeded and unseeded teams (TFF)

As a result of the draw, the matchups for the quarterfinal round, scheduled to be played on 21, 22 and 23 April 2026, were determined. According to the results, the first matchup was between Beşiktaş A.Ş. and Corendon Alanyaspor. The second matchup was between Tümosan Konyaspor and Fenerbahçe A.Ş.. In the third matchup, Galatasaray A.Ş. faced Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği, and in the fourth and final matchup, Samsunspor A.Ş. was drawn against Trabzonspor A.Ş..

Matchups according to the draw results (TFF)

Within the same event, the potential semifinal opponents for the teams advancing from the quarterfinals were also determined. It was established that in the first leg of the semifinals, scheduled for 12, 13 or 14 May 2026, the winner of the match between Galatasaray A.Ş. and Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği will face the winner of the match between Samsunspor A.Ş. and Trabzonspor A.Ş.. In the other semifinal leg, the team advancing from the match between Beşiktaş A.Ş. and Corendon Alanyaspor will face the winner of the match between Tümosan Konyaspor and Fenerbahçe A.Ş..

Quarter Final Matches

Konyaspor 1-0 Fenerbahçe

Tümosan Konyaspor and Fenerbahçe have faced each other four times prior to this quarter final match in the history of the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası. Reviewing past encounters, it is evident that in the 2002-2003 season, under a single-leg elimination format, Konyaspor defeated Fenerbahçe 1-0 at home to eliminate them from the tournament. In the 2015-2016 season, the two teams met in the cup semifinals; under the two-leg elimination system, Fenerbahçe won the first leg away 3-0 and the second leg at home 2-0 to advance.

Prior to this match in the 2025-2026 season, home team Konyaspor had demonstrated a highly consistent performance in the cup. The green and white team finished second in Group B with 12 points, ahead of Samsunspor, Antalyaspor, Gençlerbirliği, Iğdır FK, Eyüpspor, Bodrum FK and Aliağa FK, and advanced to the quarter finals without a single defeat, winning all their matches. Outside the pitch, reports noted low-flying aircraft over the stadium on the day of the match. Additionally, Fenerbahçe Club publicly announced its starting eleven for this important match with a special visual concept dedicated to National Sovereignty and Children's Day on 23 April.

Technical Details, Referees and Lineups

The match played on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at the Medaş Konya Metropolitan Stadium was officiated by referee Ozan Ergün, with assistants Murat Altan and Mustafa Savranlar.

• Konyaspor: Bahadır Güngördü, Uğurcan Yazğılı, Nagalo, Adil Demirbağ, Berkan Kutlu, Melih İbrahimoğlu, Jevtovic, Deniz Türüç, Gonçalves, Bardhi and Muleka
• Fenerbahçe: Ederson, Skriniar, Osterwolde, Levent Mercan, Guendouzi, Musaba, İsmail Yüksek, Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Cherif

Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe starting elevens (AA)

Match Summary

First Half

Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match (AA)

The first half of the match was largely dominated by midfield battles and ended goalless. In the 6th minute, Fenerbahçe's Levent Mercan delivered a free kick from the left flank, and Skriniar headed the ball into the penalty area, but it was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Bahadır Güngördü. In the 37th minute, during a Konyaspor attack, Bardhi received a pass from Gonçalves and fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, which was blocked by Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson. As the first half neared its conclusion, in the 42nd minute, Osterwolde delivered a cross from the left flank into the penalty area, and İsmail Yüksek's header narrowly missed the post.

Second Half

Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match (AA)

In the second half, neither team managed to break the deadlock, and regulation time ended 0-0. In the 61st minute, Talisca's shot following a cross from Levent Mercan narrowly went out of bounds. In the 68th minute, Talisca received a pass from Kante outside the penalty area and shot, but the ball was comfortably held by goalkeeper Bahadır Güngördü. As Fenerbahçe increased pressure in the following minutes, in the 70th minute, Semedo delivered a cross, Skriniar headed the ball into the penalty area, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu's powerful shot from a good position went over the bar.

Extra Time

Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match (AA)

After a goalless regulation, the tempo and tension increased during extra time. In the 96th minute, Talisca received a through pass from Guendouzi inside the penalty area and shot, but the ball went wide. In the 98th minute, Brown received a crucial pass from Guendouzi and shot inside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Bahadır Güngördü made a brilliant save to push the ball onto the post. The turning point came in the 116th minute: after a cross from Bjorlo, Jevtovic headed the ball, and Ederson cleared it, but in the ensuing scramble, Fenerbahçe's Semedo challenged Konyaspor's Kramer inside the penalty area, causing him to fall. Following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, referee Ozan Ergün awarded a penalty. In the 120+2 minute, Jevtovic converted the penalty, sending the ball into the net to give Konyaspor a 1-0 lead.

Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match (AA)

After conceding the goal, Fenerbahçe pushed for an equalizer. In the 120+4 minute, Guendouzi cut inside from the left diagonal and shot, but the ball narrowly went wide. With this result, Tümosan Konyaspor left the field as 1-0 winners and advanced to the semifinals of the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası.

Assessments from Tümosan Konyaspor

Following the match, the joy of reaching the semifinals dominated Konyaspor's camp. Their opponent in the semifinals will be the winner of the match between Beşiktaş and Corendon Alanyaspor. Konyaspor head coach İlhan Palut, at the post-match official press conference, stated that this victory was highly valuable considering the quality of the opponent and the level of the competition. Palut noted that the positive results the team had achieved in the league had motivated them for this match, and emphasized how much the players had desired to advance since the start of training.

Konyaspor head coach İlhan Palut (AA)

In his tactical analysis of the match, head coach İlhan Palut highlighted that his team executed its defensive structure flawlessly during the first 45 minutes and denied Fenerbahçe any clear scoring opportunities. Palut noted that in the second half, the opposition began to dominate possession and increased pressure, and that during extra time the team struggled to maintain balance. He emphasized that the organization following the stoppage and the subsequent penalty award played a decisive, almost savior-like role for Konyaspor.

Palut described this victory as the kind of result Konyaspor's fanbase had long awaited, thanked the supporters for their backing, and wished Fenerbahçe success in their future endeavors.

Assessments from Fenerbahçe

For Fenerbahçe, eliminated from the tournament, the focus centered on their team's inability to convert scoring chances into goals. Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco stated that his team failed to start the match with the required intensity and that the last-minute goal conceded against Rizespor in the league had created psychological damage among the players. However, Tedesco noted that his team gained control of the game in the later stages, particularly during the first 15 minutes of extra time, when they dominated play and created numerous clear goal opportunities.

Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco (AA)

According to Tedesco, the fundamental reason for the defeat was the team's failure to convert three, four or even five clear goal chances into goals throughout the match. He also highlighted the reality that in knockout matches, if no goals are scored within 120 minutes, the opponent can win through penalties or set-piece situations. Tedesco also commented on player selections, stating that İsmail Yüksek was included in the starting eleven to regain match fitness ahead of the derby, and that Guendouzi possesses the capability to operate effectively in an offensive midfield role.

Fenerbahçe players did not conceal their disappointment after the match. İsmail Yüksek described the final moments of the match as "dramatic," highlighting the last-minute penalty goal and the balls that went just wide. Criticizing the team's recent performances, Yüksek labeled the situation as an "embarrassing" image unworthy of the club and apologized to the fans. He emphasized that big clubs must quickly forget such defeats and refocus on upcoming derbies. Another experienced player, Fred Santos, acknowledged that while the team excelled in ball control and creating chances, they fell short in finishing. Accepting the difficulty of their current situation, Fred added that the team, relying on its experienced core, would prepare with a clear objective of securing a decisive victory against Galatasaray.

Fenerbahçe Management's Objections to the VAR System and TFF Process

Following the match result, Fenerbahçe Board Member Ertan Torunoğulları voiced official criticisms regarding the refereeing and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Beginning his remarks with an apology to the fans, Torunoğulları congratulated Konyaspor on their performance but argued that the core issue was the system's unfair application. He claimed that in the penalty decision against his team, VAR intervened with exceptional speed, whereas in similar situations during the season against Kasımpaşa, Antalyaspor and Rizespor, VAR failed to act with the same urgency, resulting in point losses for Fenerbahçe due to this double standard.

Torunoğulları announced that formal appeals have been submitted to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). The first request is for transparent access to the audio recordings from the VAR room during the Rizespor match. The second and more significant request is that representatives from both clubs be present in the VAR room during the Galatasaray derby in the 31st week of the Süper Lig. Torunoğulları argued that disciplinary sanctions against referees do not rectify the injustices or point losses suffered by clubs. He concluded his statement by emphasizing that in a football industry involving millions of euros in investment, the federation must implement structural and lasting solutions to this chronic problem.

Galatasaray 0-2 Gençlerbirliği

The single-leg knockout match between Galatasaray and Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği was played on 22 April 2026 in Istanbul as part of the 2025-26 Ziraat Türkiye Kupası quarterfinal round. Gençlerbirliği won the match 2-0 at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park and advanced to the semifinals.

Lineups

• Galatasaray: Günay Güvenç, Sacha Boey, Wilfried Singo, Kaan Ayhan, Eren Elmalı, Mario Lemina, Renato Nhaga, Leroy Sane, Ahmed Kutucu, Noa Lang and Mauro Icardi.
• Gençlerbirliği: Erhan Erentürk, Fıratcan Üzüm, Goutas, Thalisson, Abdurrahim Dursun, Diabate, Samed Onur, Cihan Çanak, Oğulcan Ülgün, Metehan Mimaroğlu and Adama Traore.

Match Summary

The first half was played at a low tempo by both teams and ended goalless. Galatasaray failed to convert scoring opportunities created by Leroy Sane involving Kaan Ayhan and Mauro Icardi, and a shot from Ahmed Kutucu from outside the penalty area went over the crossbar. Galatasaray began the second half with a substitution, bringing on İlkay Gündoğan for Mario Lemina, and both goals were scored in this period. In the 51st minute, Adama Traore received a pass from Fıratcan Üzüm, ran behind the defense and delivered the ball to Metehan Mimaroğlu on the left side of the penalty area. Mimaroğlu’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Günay Güvenç but struck the crossbar and bounced back into play. Adama Traore then guided the rebound into the net from close range, and Fıratcan Üzüm finished the move by firing the ball into the goal, giving the visiting team a 1-0 lead. In the 83rd minute, during a corner kick from Gençlerbirliği’s right flank, goalkeeper Günay Güvenç failed to hold the ball at the near post. Adama Traore followed up and struck the ball over the goal line from inside the six-yard box to make it 2-0. No further changes occurred in the remaining minutes, and Gençlerbirliği earned the right to face the winner of the Samsunspor-Trabzonspor match in the semifinals.

Statistical Data and Key Events

Significant developments occurred during and after the match involving the teams and players. Galatasaray’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, recovering from a broken arm sustained in the UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool on 18 March 2026, completed a 35-day rehabilitation period and returned to the pitch in the 78th minute. Galatasaray player Ahmed Kutucu was substituted in the 56th minute and received loud whistles from the stands due to his performance. Goalkeeper Günay Güvenç, who allowed the second goal after fumbling the ball, broke down in tears on the pitch after the final whistle and was consoled by his teammates, led by head coach Okan Buruk. Although some sections of the crowd whistled him during the mistake, the majority of fans showed their support at the final whistle, prompting Güvenç to approach the supporters and apologize. With this defeat, Galatasaray, the defending champions, saw their 13-match unbeaten home streak and 10-match unbeaten run in the Türkiye Kupası come to an end. Gençlerbirliği, by winning 2-0, defeated Galatasaray away from home for the first time in 13 years and reached the final four of the competition for the first time in 15 years.

Coaches’ Assessments

After the match, both head coaches addressed the media. Gençlerbirliği head coach Volkan Demirel emphasized his team’s primary objective of avoiding relegation and stated that their focus was more on the upcoming match against Kocaelispor, which is why they fielded a rotated squad. He noted that the team aimed for 32 points to secure safety in the league and said the cup victory was highly valuable for morale and motivation. As a former goalkeeper himself, Demirel expressed full support for Günay Güvenç after his error. Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk described the result as a surprise and expressed disappointment over the loss. He said the first 45 minutes were wasted, citing a lack of concentration from his players and a failure to take the opposition seriously. Buruk accepted full responsibility for the defeat. He added that the support shown by the fans toward Günay Güvenç at the final whistle would serve as an important moment of unity for the entire team ahead of the derby against Fenerbahçe on the weekend.

Samsunspor (1) 0-0 (3) Trabzonspor

The quarterfinal match on 23 April 2026, Thursday, at the Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium was officiated by referee Atilla Karaoğlan, with assistant referees Anıl Usta and Gökhan Barcın. Ömer Faruk Turtay served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and Bilal Gölen as the Assistant VAR.

Lineups

• Samsunspor: Okan Kocuk, Zeki Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Tomasson, Coulibaly, Ntcham, Makoumbou, Yalçın Kayan, Holse, Ndiaye
• Trabzonspor: Onana, Pina, Savic, Nwaiwu, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Folcarelli, Ozan Tufan, Oulai, Zubkov, Augusto, Onuachu

Match Summary

The first 90 minutes featured alternating attacks but no goals were scored. Early in the match, Samsunspor’s Holse created a chance, but Yalçın Kayan’s shot went out of play. In the 28th minute, Trabzonspor goalkeeper Andre Onana tipped away a shot from Samsunspor’s Tomasson following a cross by Coulibaly. In the 36th minute, Trabzonspor’s Augusto headed a chance that was saved by goalkeeper Okan Kocuk. In the 60th minute, Onana cleared a direct corner kick from Samsunspor captain Zeki Yavru at the last moment. In the 69th minute, Samsunspor’s Cherif Ndiaye collided with goalkeeper Onana inside the penalty area and received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and leaving his team with ten men. In the 76th minute, Trabzonspor’s Onuachu fired a powerful shot from inside the box that was blocked by Kocuk. The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Extra Time and Penalty Shootout No goals were scored during the two 15-minute extra time periods. In the 97th minute, Onuachu’s shot from a cross by Bouchouari struck the post and went out. After 120 minutes ended 0-0, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout. Tomasson opened the scoring for Samsunspor, but subsequent penalties by Moundilmadji (Marius), Satka and Yunus Emre Çift were saved by Trabzonspor goalkeeper Onana. For Trabzonspor, Paul Onuachu, Tony Nwakaeme and Ernest Muçi converted their penalties, while Umut Nayir and Benjamin Bouchouari missed theirs. Trabzonspor won the shootout 3-1 and advanced to the semifinals.

Post-Match Statements and Semifinal Draw At the post-match press conference, Trabzonspor head coach Fatih Tekke highlighted the importance of securing a result from a difficult away fixture and expressed satisfaction with the outcome despite shortcomings. He praised Samsunspor’s fighting spirit even after being reduced to ten men. Samsunspor assistant coach Sebastian Hahn stated that his team had been in control of the match until the red card incident and viewed their elimination as bad luck, criticizing the referee’s management of the game.

With this victory, Trabzonspor advanced to the semifinals where they will face Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği, who eliminated Galatasaray in the quarterfinals. The semifinal match is scheduled to be played as a single leg in Ankara on 12, 13 or 14 May 2026.