Mohamed Salah delivered a sensational individual performance on Saturday night, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist as Trabzonspor demolished Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray 4-0 at Papara Park.
The Egyptian superstar needed just four minutes to open the scoring, turned provider for Noah Saviolo’s goal before half-time, scored his second shortly afterwards and completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute.
It was a devastating performance from Salah, who repeatedly exposed Galatasaray’s defensive line with his pace, movement and ruthless finishing. The result also gave Trabzonspor a statement victory in Thomas Reis’ first official match in charge.
Salah strikes after a devastating counter
Trabzonspor needed only four minutes to take the lead, and the goal immediately demonstrated the danger Salah could pose in transition.
Galatasaray had been attacking when Trabzonspor recovered possession. Mustafa Eskihellaç cleared the ball forward, allowing Salah to race into the space behind the Galatasaray defence.
The Egyptian covered a remarkable distance before finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. Salah kept his composure, waited for the goalkeeper and calmly sent a low left-footed finish into the net.
Trabzonspor 1-0 Galatasaray.
It was a spectacular start and one that left the Galatasaray defence badly exposed. Salah had effectively turned a defensive clearance into a one-man counter-attack.
The 34-year-old almost doubled the advantage in the 9th minute, when he received a pass from Wagner Pina inside the penalty area and sent a low effort narrowly wide of the post.
Galatasaray tried to recover, but Trabzonspor remained dangerous.
Salah turns provider
The pressure paid off again in the 39th minute.
Salah received the ball on the right side and picked out Noah Saviolo inside the penalty area. Saviolo controlled the pass before producing a composed low finish beyond Çakır and into the bottom corner.
Trabzonspor 2-0 Galatasaray.
Salah had now scored one and assisted one, but he was far from finished.
Galatasaray goalkeeper Çakır was also forced into action several times, while Trabzonspor’s goalkeeper André Onana produced an important save to deny Ismail Jakobs after the Galatasaray defender burst into the area.
Jakobs’ effort was particularly dangerous. Onana managed to get a hand to the shot and the ball then struck the crossbar before going out of danger. It was one of the clearest opportunities Galatasaray created during a first half dominated by the hosts.
Salah makes it three before half-time
Trabzonspor delivered another devastating blow just before the interval.
In the 44th minute, Franculino Djú won possession from Davinson Sánchez and immediately played the ball forward to Salah.
The Egyptian entered the penalty area and calmly fired a low finish into the net.
Trabzonspor 3-0 Galatasaray.
Salah had now scored twice and assisted once in the opening 45 minutes. Trabzonspor went into half-time with a three-goal advantage and Galatasaray facing a nightmare second half.
Galatasaray search for a way back
Galatasaray attempted to respond after the restart, but Trabzonspor remained disciplined and dangerous whenever space opened up.
Leroy Sané tested Onana from distance, while the visitors also threatened from set pieces. However, Trabzonspor’s defensive organisation prevented Galatasaray from building sustained pressure.
The home side, meanwhile, continued looking for opportunities to punish the visitors on the counter.
Salah remained the central figure.
Hat-trick completed in the 80th minute
The inevitable moment arrived in the 80th minute.
Salah found space behind the Galatasaray defence once again and raced toward goal before calmly finishing past Çakır.
Trabzonspor 4-0 Galatasaray.
The goal completed Salah’s hat-trick and capped one of the most memorable individual performances of the Turkish Super Lig season so far.
The Egyptian had now directly contributed to all four Trabzonspor goals: three goals and one assist.
Galatasaray’s miserable evening became even worse late on when Oguchukwu was sent off in the 87th minute, leaving the visitors to finish the match with 10 men.
There was no way back.
The final whistle confirmed a stunning 4-0 victory for Trabzonspor, with Salah walking away with the match ball after producing three goals and an assist.
For Galatasaray, it was a painful night in which their defensive weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed. For Trabzonspor, it was a statement victory.
And for Salah, it was a reminder of his extraordinary ability to decide a major match almost single-handedly.
Three goals. One assist. Four Trabzonspor goals. One unforgettable Salah masterclass.
