Galatasaray–Beşiktaş Derby (4 October 2025)

The Galatasaray–Beşiktaş match in the 8th week of the 2025–2026 Süper Lig season was held on 4 October 2025 at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park. The match ended in a 1–1 draw after both teams scored one goal each. This match marked Galatasaray’s first point loss of the season.

Galatasaray - Beşiktaş match (AA)

Historical Background of the Rivalry

The rivalry between Galatasaray and Beşiktaş has endured for over a century and is among the oldest and most deeply rooted fixtures in Turkish football. The two clubs first faced each other on 22 August 1924 in a match of the Istanbul League at Taksim Stadium. Beşiktaş won the match 2–0, with Refik Osman Top scoring the first goal in the rivalry’s history.

Galatasaray’s first goal against Beşiktaş came on 31 July 1925 in their second encounter, also at Taksim Stadium, which ended 6–2 in favor of the yellow-red team. The goal was scored by Mehmet Leblebi. Since then, the two teams have met 358 times, producing numerous unforgettable encounters.

The most prolific scorer in the rivalry is Beşiktaş’s “Baba” Hakkı Yeten, who netted 29 goals in 61 matches. He is followed by fellow Beşiktaş player Şeref Görkey with 26 goals. For Galatasaray, Gündüz Kılıç scored 21 goals in 31 matches, making him one of the top scorers in the derby. Metin Oktay also scored 15 goals in 40 derbies.

On 30 June 1940, in a Milli Küme match, Galatasaray defeated Beşiktaş 9–2, a result that remains the largest margin of victory in derby history. Gündüz Kılıç scored five goals in that match, earning the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single derby.

Over time, these matches have witnessed many historic moments. The Galatasaray–Beşiktaş fixture in the 2007–2008 season was played behind closed doors due to a penalty, marking the first such occurrence in the rivalry’s history. During the novel coronavirus pandemic, two derbies were also played without spectators.

The first derby in the Süper Lig era, which began in 1959, took place during the 1959 season. The earliest derby in Süper Lig history occurred in the second week of the 2012–2013 season, ending in a 3–3 draw between Beşiktaş and Galatasaray.

Galatasaray - Beşiktaş match infographic (AA)

Pre-Match Period and Team Status

Before the 2025–2026 season, Galatasaray, under head coach Okan Buruk, had won the Süper Lig title for the past three consecutive seasons. In the new season, the yellow-red team maintained a strong form, winning their first seven league matches and leading the table with 21 points.

Beşiktaş, managed by Sergen Yalçın, entered the season with 12 points from six matches and stood in fifth place, one game behind. Galatasaray was the league’s top-scoring team, while Beşiktaş, despite scoring fewer goals, fielded a squad with potent attacking players.

In the first seven matchweeks of the season, Galatasaray scored 19 goals. Five were scored by Mauro Icardi, three by Barış Alper Yılmaz, three by Eren Elmalı, two by Victor Osimhen, two by Yunus Akgün, one by Leroy Sané, one by Davinson Sanchez, one by Lucas Torreira, and one was an own goal by Beşiktaş player Fatih Kurucuk.

Beşiktaş scored 11 goals in the same period. Their top scorer was Rafa Silva with five goals. Other goals came from Tammy Abraham (2), El Bilal Toure (1), Cengiz Ünder (1), Vaclav Cerny (1), and Jota Silva (1).

Before the match, the traditional friendly dinner was held, with Galatasaray Club President Dursun Özbek and Beşiktaş Club President Hasan Arat attending together and exchanging wishes for success. This event was conducted within the framework of the long-standing tradition of sportsmanship between the two clubs.

Coaches’ Derby Records

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk’s record against Beşiktaş has favored his team since he took charge in the 2022 season. Under Buruk, Galatasaray has won four and lost two of six league matches against Beşiktaş, scoring nine goals and conceding eight.

Beşiktaş head coach Sergen Yalçın has a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss in four league matches against Galatasaray. His Beşiktaş side scored five goals and conceded four in those matches.

In their overall head-to-head record across different clubs, Sergen Yalçın holds the advantage. In a total of eight matches where they faced each other as managers of different teams, Yalçın’s teams won four times, Buruk’s teams won twice, and two matches ended in draws.

Galatasaray - Beşiktaş match (AA)

Lineups and Match Information

The match was played on Saturday, 4 October 2025 at 20:00 at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park. The referee was Yasin Kol.

Galatasaray started the match with the following lineup: Uğurcan Çakır, Wilfried Singo, Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sanchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Mario Lemina, Lucas Torreira, İlkay Gündoğan, Yunus Akgün, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Victor Osimhen.

Beşiktaş fielded the following starting eleven: Mert Günok, Tiago Djalo, Emirhan Topçu, Jurasek, Ndidi, Orkun Kökçü, Rafa Silva, Vaclav Cerny, El Bilal Toure, Tammy Abraham.

The stands were completely full. The match began at a high tempo amid intense fan support.

Match Summary

First Half

The first threat came from Beşiktaş. In the 10th minute, Emirhan Topçu’s header from a corner kick delivered by Vaclav Cerny on the right flank was cleared off the line by goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.

In the 12th minute, Beşiktaş took the lead. After a pass from Cerny, Orkun Kökçü received the ball on the right diagonal and shot. Uğurcan Çakır parried the shot, and Tammy Abraham followed up to score.

In the 18th minute, Mario Lemina attempted a shot from approximately 30 meters, and the ball went wide of the post. In the 19th minute, Galatasaray defender Wilfried Singo suffered an injury during play and could not continue. He was replaced by Roland Sallai in the 26th minute.

In the 28th minute, Barış Alper Yılmaz’s shot from outside the penalty area went wide of the far post. In the 34th minute, a pivotal moment occurred. After a pass from Cerny, Rafa Silva ran behind the defense and was brought down by Davinson Sanchez. Referee Yasin Kol showed Sanchez a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Galatasaray were reduced to 10 men from this moment. This was the sixth red card issued in the last six Galatasaray–Beşiktaş derbies. The same referee, Yasin Kol, had also sent off Galatasaray’s Frankowski in last season’s derby.

After gaining numerical superiority, Beşiktaş attempted to exploit set pieces. In the 37th minute, goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır saved a header from El Bilal Toure following a cross from Orkun Kökçü. In the 43rd minute, Abdülkerim Bardakcı’s header went over the crossbar. The first half ended with Beşiktaş leading 1–0.

Galatasaray - Beşiktaş match (AA)

Second Half

Galatasaray began the second half unchanged. Despite being down to 10 men, the yellow-red team controlled possession and applied more pressure in attack. In the 54th minute, goalkeeper Mert Günok saved a 25-meter shot from Lucas Torreira.

In the 55th minute, Galatasaray equalized. After a loose ball was intercepted from Ndidi’s foot by Lucas Torreira, he passed it to İlkay Gündoğan. Gündoğan controlled the ball and struck it cleanly into the net. This was Gündoğan’s first goal for Galatasaray.

In the 59th minute, Gökhan Sazdağı came on for Beşiktaş. In the 66th minute, Felix Uduokhai replaced Emirhan Topçu. In the 67th minute, Cengiz Ünder replaced Cerny.

In the 74th minute, Beşiktaş came close to scoring. After a low cross from the right by Cengiz Ünder, Rafa Silva, facing the goalkeeper, headed the ball over the bar. In the 77th minute, Eren Elmalı and Gabi Sara entered the game for Galatasaray, replacing İlkay Gündoğan and Yunus Akgün.

In the 83rd minute, goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır blocked a shot from Cengiz Ünder with his feet to send it for a corner. In the 86th minute, Galatasaray made two more substitutions: Leroy Sané and Mauro Icardi replaced Barış Alper Yılmaz and Victor Osimhen.

In the final stages, both teams focused on midfield battles. Beşiktaş looked to create chances through Tammy Abraham and Cengiz Ünder, while Galatasaray relied on counterattacks. No further goals were scored in stoppage time, and the match ended 1–1.

Galatasaray - Beşiktaş match (AA)

Post-Match Developments

After the match, Galatasaray suffered their first point loss of the season. The yellow-red team remained at the top of the table with 22 points. Galatasaray’s 15-match winning streak in the Süper Lig came to an end. However, they maintained their unbeaten run in their last 29 official matches at RAMS Park.

Galatasaray had scored 42 goals and conceded only five in their previous 15 league matches. This match marked their first defeat in the league after 15 consecutive wins.

Beşiktaş increased their points total to 13 with this away draw.

Player Statements

Galatasaray player Mario Lemina spoke to the media after the match. Lemina said, “We started the match well, and we could have started even better. We were still feeling the fatigue from the Liverpool match. I believe we played well against 11 men with only 10 on the pitch. Perhaps we were tired, but we could have done more. We are still unbeaten.” Lemina also noted that Davinson Sanchez’s red card disrupted the team’s balance and added, “Wherever our coach assigns me, I will continue to fight.”

Beşiktaş player Tammy Abraham said, “We knew it would be a tough match. Galatasaray is a strong team with excellent players. We came here knowing we had to fight. We are not happy with just one point; three would have been better. We played too politely. We could have won more fouls. Mistakes happen in football. Our mistake allowed the opponent to punish us. My teammates are not satisfied with the result. We must acknowledge our medical staff. Today I played with pain. I had to show sacrifice. We must take the positive lessons from today and carry this confidence into our next matches.”