In one of the most exhilarating matches of the season, Galatasaray emerged victorious in a high-octane 4-3 battle against Elfsborg.
The game, played at the iconic Nef Stadium in Istanbul, kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
With both teams exchanging blows, the encounter had everything—goals, VAR drama, overturned decisions, and a thrilling late-game resurgence by Elfsborg. Here’s how it all unfolded.
The game started with Galatasaray quickly asserting their dominance. From the opening whistle, the home side looked sharp, creating numerous chances.
Osimhen şu atmosfersen sonra skerm Premier Ligini ben Galatasaray’da kalıyorum derse şaşırmam.
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In the 28th minute, Mauro Icardi opened the scoring for Galatasaray with a clinical right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, following an assist from Dries Mertens. Icardi’s early strike set the tone, giving the Turkish giants an early advantage.
Elfsborg struggled to keep up with Galatasaray’s fast-paced attack, and just 11 minutes later, they found themselves 2-0 down. A dangerous cross from Gabriel Sara led to a chaotic moment in the Elfsborg box, resulting in an unfortunate own goal by Isak Pettersson, extending Galatasaray’s lead.
Before the first half could end, Galatasaray struck again. In the 44th minute, Baris Alper Yilmaz added a third with a powerful left-footed shot that found the bottom right corner, following a through ball from Sara.
At halftime, it looked like Galatasaray was cruising toward a comfortable win with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Elfsborg’s Fighting Spirit: The Second-Half Comeback
However, the second half was a different story. Elfsborg came out with renewed determination and began to fight back against Galatasaray’s defense. In the 52nd minute, Niklas Hult pulled one back for Elfsborg with a left-footed strike from close range, making it 3-1.
Elfsborg’s momentum continued to build, and just eight minutes later, they were handed another lifeline. A VAR review awarded them a penalty after a handball by Baris Alper Yilmaz. Michael Baidoo confidently stepped up and converted the penalty, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to bring the score to 3-2. Suddenly, the game was wide open.
Despite Elfsborg’s efforts, Galatasaray refused to sit back and defend. In the 83rd minute, Yunus Akgün scored a stunning goal to restore Galatasaray’s two-goal cushion. His left-footed shot from the center of the box flew into the top left corner, capping off a brilliant attacking performance. With the score now 4-2, it seemed like the game was finally out of Elfsborg’s reach.
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Late Drama: VAR Controversy and a Narrow Finish
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the drama was far from over. In the 90th minute, Johan Larsson came off the bench to score a late goal for Elfsborg, reducing the deficit to 4-3.
Larsson’s left-footed strike from the center of the box found the bottom left corner, assisted by Andri Baldursson. With six minutes of added time announced, the tension inside the stadium reached its peak.
In the dying moments of the game, Michy Batshuayi thought he had sealed the victory for Galatasaray with a last-minute goal.
However, after a VAR review, the goal was overturned due to an offside call, keeping the score at 4-3. The VAR decision sparked heated discussions among fans and players, but ultimately, it ensured a dramatic ending to an already thrilling encounter.
Elfsborg pressed hard in the final moments, with Jalal Abdullai forcing a crucial save from Galatasaray’s goalkeeper with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box. Despite their best efforts, Elfsborg couldn’t find the equalizer, and the final whistle confirmed Galatasaray’s hard-fought 4-3 win.
Galatasaray’s ability to withstand the pressure from Elfsborg in the second half was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. Coach Okan Buruk made several crucial substitutions that helped manage the game in the closing stages. Victor Nelsson, Elias Jelert, and Berkan Kutlu were brought on to reinforce the defense, while Batshuayi added fresh legs in attack.
The partnership between Mauro Icardi and Dries Mertens was key to Galatasaray’s early dominance. Mertens, in particular, was a creative force, providing assists and linking up well with Icardi and Yunus Akgün. The attacking trio of Akgün, Icardi, and Baris Alper Yilmaz caused Elfsborg all sorts of problems throughout the game.
Elfsborg’s Courageous Effort
Despite the loss, Elfsborg can hold their heads high after a courageous performance. The Swedish side showed immense character to fight back from 3-0 down, with players like Michael Baidoo and Niklas Hult leading the charge. Their second-half resurgence demonstrated their quality and fighting spirit, and with a bit more luck, they could have secured a draw.
Coach Jimmy Thelin made several impactful changes, with substitutes Emil Holten, Johan Larsson, and Jalal Abdullai all contributing to Elfsborg’s attacking efforts late in the game. Although they fell short in the end, Elfsborg’s performance will give them confidence going forward.
