Galatasaray claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Fenerbahçe on Monday, October 26, after Victor Osimhen scored twice in the first half before İrfan Can Kahveci’s spectacular overhead kick set up a tense finish at RAMS Park.
The Nigerian striker proved the difference in one of Turkish football’s most fiercely contested fixtures, giving Galatasaray a two-goal advantage before the break. However, Fenerbahçe refused to go down without a fight, with Kahveci’s second-half strike breathing life into the contest and forcing the hosts to work hard to protect their lead.
Galatasaray began the match with greater attacking intent, putting the visitors under pressure and creating several opportunities to open the scoring. Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson was called into action early, producing important saves to keep his side in the game.
In the 15th minute, Aleksey Batrakov released Ismail Jakobs on the left, and the defender delivered the ball to Barış Alper Yılmaz inside the penalty area. Yılmaz struck towards goal, but Ederson reacted quickly to block the effort with his feet.
Two minutes later, Yılmaz threatened again after receiving a pass from Mario Lemina. The Galatasaray forward found space on the left side of the box and fired at goal, only for Ederson to make another timely intervention.
Fenerbahçe responded in the 20th minute when Oğuz Aydın stepped up to take a free kick from outside the penalty area. His effort narrowly cleared the far post, offering the visitors a promising opportunity to take the lead.
Galatasaray, however, continued to look the more dangerous side, and their pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute.
Osimhen opened the scoring after receiving a pass from Yılmaz near the right edge of the penalty area. The striker drove into the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot inside the near post, leaving Ederson unable to prevent the ball from finding the net.
The goal rewarded Galatasaray’s early dominance and gave the home supporters the breakthrough they had been waiting for.
Osimhen almost doubled his tally nine minutes later when Batrakov played a pass behind the Fenerbahçe defence. The Nigerian forward raced into the penalty area and attempted to beat Ederson from the right, but the goalkeeper stretched to turn his effort behind for a corner.
Fenerbahçe’s resistance was broken again just before half-time.
In the 44th minute, Jakobs launched a long throw-in from the left into the penalty area. Ederson punched the ball away, but it fell to Davinson Sánchez, who immediately struck towards goal. Osimhen, positioned in front of the goalkeeper, redirected the defender’s effort with a header and sent the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
The finish completed Osimhen’s brace and gave Galatasaray a comfortable advantage heading into the interval. Ederson made another save in first-half stoppage time to deny Batrakov, ensuring the deficit did not increase further before the break.
Fenerbahçe returned for the second half needing a response, but Galatasaray continued to create dangerous opportunities.
In the 49th minute, Batrakov attempted to extend the hosts’ lead after receiving a pass from Yunus Akgün. His shot took a deflection off Milan Škriniar and went behind for a corner.
Fenerbahçe then produced a promising attacking move in the 52nd minute. Mason Greenwood found N’Golo Kanté, who quickly released Romelu Lukaku inside the penalty area. Lukaku’s effort from the right side of the box was heading towards danger, but Galatasaray goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır reacted well to turn the ball behind.
Three minutes later, Galatasaray came agonisingly close to making it three.
Roland Sallai delivered a cross from the right, and Jakobs met the delivery with a header at the far post. The ball struck the post and rebounded into play, denying the hosts what would have been a potentially decisive third goal.
Fenerbahçe took advantage of that reprieve by reducing the deficit in the 62nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu sent a long pass towards the right side of the penalty area, where Aydın collected the ball before delivering it to Kahveci inside the box. After controlling the delivery, the midfielder produced an acrobatic overhead kick that flew into the net, cutting Galatasaray’s lead to 2-1.
It was a spectacular finish that transformed the atmosphere inside RAMS Park and gave Fenerbahçe renewed belief that they could rescue a result from the derby.
Galatasaray responded by introducing Rafael Leão in the 64th minute as they looked to restore their attacking threat and prevent the visitors from gaining further momentum.
The hosts continued to create opportunities, although their finishing let them down at important moments. In the 70th minute, Torreira received a pass from Akgün near the edge of the penalty area and attempted a first-time effort, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Galatasaray threatened again from a corner. Sánchez fired towards goal after the initial delivery was cleared, and Torreira attempted to turn the rebound towards the net, but his effort also went over.
Leão came close to extending Galatasaray’s advantage in the 75th minute when he curled an effort towards the far corner from the left side of the penalty area. Ederson reacted well to push the ball behind for a corner.
The Portuguese forward had another opportunity in the 87th minute after receiving a pass from Leroy Sané, but his shot from the left side of the box narrowly missed the target.
Despite Galatasaray’s missed opportunities, the closing stages belonged to Fenerbahçe, who continued searching for an equaliser.
The visitors came agonisingly close in the 90th minute when a free kick created danger inside the home side’s penalty area. Kojo Oppong headed the ball towards Aktürkoğlu, who redirected it across goal for Škriniar to attempt a close-range header.
However, Lemina produced a crucial goal-line clearance to prevent the ball from crossing the line. The rebound subsequently struck Lukaku and went out of play, allowing Galatasaray to escape a potentially devastating moment.
Sané tested Ederson again in stoppage time, but the goalkeeper made another save as Galatasaray looked to put the contest beyond doubt.
Fenerbahçe continued pushing for a late equaliser, but the hosts held their ground to secure all three points.
Osimhen’s first-half double ultimately proved decisive, while Kahveci’s spectacular overhead kick ensured the derby remained competitive until the final stages. Galatasaray’s inability to convert their second-half chances kept the visitors in contention, but Lemina’s late intervention helped preserve the advantage.
The victory strengthened Galatasaray’s position in the Turkish Süper Lig title race, while Fenerbahçe were left to reflect on a first half in which they struggled to contain their rivals.
For Galatasaray, the result was built on Osimhen’s clinical finishing and a determined defensive effort when the pressure intensified. For Fenerbahçe, Kahveci’s remarkable goal offered a glimpse of hope, but it was not enough to prevent a painful derby defeat.
