Galatasaray vs. Bellona Kayserispor Match (2025)

The match between Galatasaray and Bellona Kayserispor in the 36th week of the 2024-2025 season ended with a 3-0 victory for Galatasaray, securing the club the Süper Lig title with two weeks remaining in the season. The match took place on 18 May 2025 at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park in Istanbul, granting Galatasaray its 25th league title in history.

Galatasaray vs Bellona Kayserispor, 19 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

Match Progression and Goal Summary

In the first half, Galatasaray applied pressure on the opponent’s goal and created their first dangerous attack in the 5th minute with a shot by Barış Alper Yılmaz. In the 12th minute, Osimhen’s curling shot from the left flank was saved by goalkeeper Bilal Bayazit and cleared for a corner. In the 17th minute, Davinson Sánchez’s header from a corner delivered by Gabriel Sara went over the crossbar. In the 21st minute, after Sara lost possession in midfield, Ramazan Civelek found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Muslera rescued the situation.

Galatasaray vs Bellona Kayserispor, 19 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

In the 27th minute, Galatasaray took the lead 1-0 with a header from Osimhen following a corner from the right flank. Three minutes later, in the 29th minute, Barış Alper Yılmaz doubled the lead by scoring from a header off a cross delivered by Torreira inside the penalty area. In the 38th minute, Cardoso’s shot was again saved by Muslera. The first half ended 2-0 in favor of Galatasaray.

In the second half, Galatasaray maintained control of the ball. In the 57th minute, Yunus Akgün’s shot following a header from Osimhen went out of bounds. In the 66th minute, Morata’s shot from just behind the penalty spot narrowly missed the target. In the 89th minute, Galatasaray scored their third goal from a penalty. After receiving a pass from Osimhen, Morata ran behind the defense and was brought down by goalkeeper Bilal. The incident was reviewed by VAR and ruled a penalty. Muslera converted the penalty, sending the ball into the net to seal the match.

Lineups

Galatasaray Starting XI: Muslera, Sallai, Davinson Sanchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı, Lucas Torreira, Mario Lemina, Yunus Akgün, Gabriel Sara, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray Starting XI, 18 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

Kayserispor Starting XI: Bilal Bayazit, Gökhan Sazdağı, Majid Hosseini, Joseph Attamah, Lionel Carole, Ali Karimi, Kartal Kayra Yılmaz, Ramazan Civelek, Mehdi Bourabia, Miguel Cardoso, Duckens Nazon

Mathematical Confirmation of the Title

With the three points earned from this match, Galatasaray increased their total to 89 points and secured the title mathematically with an eight-point lead over their closest rival, Fenerbahçe, with two matches remaining. Thus, Galatasaray was officially crowned champion of the 2024-2025 Trendyol Süper Lig season.

Galatasaray title celebrations, 18 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

During this season, Galatasaray recorded 28 wins, 5 draws, and only 1 loss in the league.

Player Season Performances

Victor Osimhen, who scored the opening goal in the match, netted his 25th goal in his 29th Süper Lig appearance this season, bringing his total to 36 goals. This figure earned him the record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single season.

Barış Alper Yılmaz increased his season tally in the Süper Lig to 12 goals with his strike in this match, scoring 14 goals in 48 official appearances. Fernando Muslera, meanwhile, celebrated his second goal in his Galatasaray career after scoring from the penalty spot in this match. The goalkeeper previously scored from a penalty against Manisaspor in 2012.

Galatasaray title celebrations, 18 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

Players in the Galatasaray squad who featured in the league and experienced their first-ever title win with this match include Gabriel Sara, Ismail Jakobs, Eren Elmalı, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Ahmed Kutucu and Berat Luş.

Performance of Head Coach Okan Buruk

With this season, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has won his fourth Süper Lig title as a manager. This achievement places him among the most successful coaches in league history, behind only Fatih Terim (8 titles) and Ahmet Suat Özyazıcı (4 titles). He has also become the fourth manager to win three consecutive league titles. Previously, this feat was accomplished by Brian Birch (1970-73), Gordon Milne (1989-92), and Fatih Terim (1996-2000). Buruk is now the individual with the most Süper Lig titles in history, both as a player and a coach, having won seven titles as a player and four as a manager.

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk during title celebrations, 18 May 2025 - Anadolu Ajansı

Fifth Star Implementation and Historical Significance

The star system introduced by the Turkish Football Federation in the 2000-2001 season awards one star for every five league titles. With their 25th championship, Galatasaray became the first club to add a fifth star to their jersey. Galatasaray previously added their third star in the 2001-2002 season after winning their 15th title, and their fourth star in the 2014-2015 season after winning their 20th title. With the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season, they have now earned their fifth star.

Galatasaray’s 2024-2025 Süper Lig Championship Celebration Program

Galatasaray Sports Club celebrated its 2024-2025 Süper Lig championship with a two-day event held on 25 and 26 May 2025 at the Yenikapı Event Area in Istanbul. The events were attended by club management, the technical staff, players, and fans.

Galatasaray’s 2024-2025 Süper Lig Championship Celebration Program, 26 May 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Overall Event Flow

The celebration events at Yenikapı lasted two days. On 25 May, Galatasaray fans watched the Göztepe match on a large screen, and the event area was opened to the public at 12:00. On 26 May, the Galatasaray Football Team began the celebration ceremony at Galatasaray High School. The technical staff and players departed from the school in an open-top bus, arriving at Sarayburnu, from where they continued their journey by boat to the Yenikapı Event Area via sea route.

Galatasaray’s 2024-2025 Süper Lig Championship Celebration ProgramGalatasaray President Dursun Özbek, 25 May 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

At the event venue, club president Dursun Özbek, board members, players, and their families were present. The ceremony continued with a speech delivered by the President of Galatasaray Sports Club on stage.

Galatasaray’s 2024-2025 Süper Lig Championship Celebration Program, 26 May 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Stage Program and Ceremony

During the celebrations, the technical staff, administrative team, and players were announced in sequence and invited onto the stage. Technical director Okan Buruk and the players ascended the platform accompanied by individual music selections. The players received their medals from Mecnun Otyakmaz, Acting First Vice President of the Turkish Football Federation; Fuat Göktaş, Acting Second Vice President; Board Member Zafer Bahadır Saraç; and Assistant General Secretary Özcan Şepik.

Galatasaray’s 2024-2025 Süper Lig Championship Celebration Program, 26 May 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

The stage program also featured Dries Mertens and his family, as well as Fernando Muslera and his family. Mertens appeared on stage with his wife and son, while Muslera was presented with a special video tribute on the platform by the club.

Musical Performances and Participants

Various artists delivered live performances on the Yenikapı stage as part of the celebrations. The program featured Suat Ateşdağlı, Yalçın Asan, Ebru Yaşar, Aydilge, Tefo & Seko, Blok3, Gökhan Kırdar, Güliz Ayla, Emir Can İğrek, Gripin, Atiye, and Kenan Doğulu.

The event was hosted by Hop Dedik Ayhan and Yasemin Sakallıoğlu. Throughout the program, the celebration was sustained by pyrotechnic displays, large-screen visuals, and musical performances.

After the championship trophy was brought onto the stage, the medal ceremony was completed. The official segment of the event concluded with the trophy raised by the team captains.