Beşiktaş Clinches Thrilling Victory Over Antalyaspor in Season Opener

In a dramatic start to the Turkcell Super Lig season, Beşiktaş secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Antalyaspor. The match, played at Antalya Ataturk Stadium, saw Antalyaspor take an early lead with goals from Bienuk and Serge Pacome. However, Beşiktaş mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, with Delgado initiating the resurgence and Bobo netting a late brace to seal the win.

The game began with Antalyaspor showing early promise. In the opening minute, Serge Pacome’s penetrating run down the right flank and subsequent pass found Ngewnya, whose shot narrowly missed the target. Antalyaspor continued to press, and in the 9th minute, Pacome again delivered a dangerous cross from the right. Ali Zitouni’s powerful strike from the cross was deflected for a corner by Beşiktaş goalkeeper Rüştü.

Alt text: Antalyaspor’s Bienuk celebrates his opening goal against Beşiktaş, a moment reflecting the early excitement of the Turkcell Super Lig season, reminiscent of the passion seen in Euro 2008 matches

10th minute: GOAL! Antalyaspor 1 – 0 Beşiktaş. From the resulting corner, taken by Pacome on the right, Bienuk rose highest and powerfully headed the ball past Rüştü into the left corner of the net. Antalyaspor took an early lead, sending their home fans into jubilation.

Beşiktaş almost responded quickly in the 15th minute. Delgado’s clever pass found Holosko in a promising position. Holosko, facing only the goalkeeper Ömer, unfortunately directed his shot straight into the keeper’s arms, squandering a golden opportunity to equalize.

In the 29th minute, Delgado once again showcased his skill, dribbling past three Antalyaspor defenders before setting up Holosko again. However, Holosko’s finishing woes continued as he fired his shot over the bar from close range. Referee Bünyamin Gezer, acknowledging the sweltering heat, paused the game for a water break in the 30th minute.

Antalyaspor continued to threaten. In the 34th minute, Serge Pacome unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, forcing Rüştü to make a difficult save.

Alt text: Serge Pacome of Antalyaspor controls the ball, his dynamic play showcasing the attacking football spirit seen throughout European leagues in 2008, including the memorable Euro 2008 tournament

36th minute: GOAL! Antalyaspor 2 – 0 Beşiktaş. Antalyaspor doubled their lead. A scramble in the Beşiktaş penalty area saw the ball fall to Serge Pacome, who calmly slotted it past Rüştü for Antalyaspor’s second goal. The first half concluded with Antalyaspor holding a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

The second half began with Antalyaspor’s Ali Zitouni receiving a yellow card in the 50th minute for protesting a refereeing decision. In the 57th minute, Beşiktaş threatened from a Delgado corner. Nobre met the delivery with a powerful header, but goalkeeper Ömer saved, and the Antalyaspor defense cleared the rebound. Antalyaspor made their first substitution in the 57th minute, with Vahap replacing Volkan.

Controversy arose in the 58th minute when Serge Pacome was penalized for a high foot inside the penalty area, resulting in an indirect free kick for Beşiktaş just five meters from goal. As Delgado prepared to take the free kick, Pacome was shown a yellow card for encroaching from the wall before the whistle. Delgado’s powerful strike from the free kick in the 60th minute hit the wall, denying Beşiktaş a goal.

Alt text: Beşiktaş players strategize during a water break, a common scene in early season matches, highlighting the tactical adjustments reminiscent of teams preparing for crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers

In the 64th minute, Serge Pacome intercepted the ball in midfield and embarked on a mazy run, dribbling past Beşiktaş defenders into the box. However, Rüştü was quick off his line to deny Pacome with a brave save. Pacome continued to be a menace, and in the 68th minute, Ngewnya’s pass found him in the box, but his powerful shot went narrowly wide. In the 70th minute, an injured Serge Pacome was replaced by Straka.

Beşiktaş pushed for a goal, and in the 73rd minute, Serdar Özkan’s cross from the left found Nobre, whose header from close range went just wide. Referee Bünyamin Gezer called for a second water break in the 75th minute.

78th minute: GOAL! Antalyaspor 2 – 1 Beşiktaş. Beşiktaş finally broke through. A goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball falling to Delgado, who unleashed a powerful shot into the Antalyaspor net, reducing the deficit.

80th minute: GOAL! Antalyaspor 2 – 2 Beşiktaş. Beşiktaş equalized! Holosko’s cross from the left was met by Bobo, who headed powerfully past Ömer, leveling the score.

Alt text: Bobo of Beşiktaş celebrates scoring the equalizing goal, his header embodying the competitive spirit of the game, much like the thrilling moments witnessed in the Euro 2008 tournament

Antalyaspor almost regained the lead in the 89th minute when Ngewnya’s powerful shot from inside the box struck the left post and rebounded back into play.

90th minute: GOAL! Antalyaspor 2 – 3 Beşiktaş. In the final minute of normal time, Bobo secured the victory for Beşiktaş. Driving into the box, Bobo cleverly evaded goalkeeper Ömer and slotted the ball into the empty net, completing Beşiktaş’s dramatic comeback.

Beşiktaş emerged victorious from a thrilling encounter, defeating Antalyaspor 3-2 in their season opener.

Stadium: Ataturk
Referees: Bünyamin Gezer, Cem Satman, Asım Yusuf Öz
Antalyaspor: Ömer, Şenol, Dzeiweicki, Bienuk (Min. 89 Orhan Ak), Ali Zitoni, Ngewnya, Sedat, Abdullah, Serge Pacome (Min. 70 Straka), Volkan (Min. 57 Vahap), Uğur
Beşiktaş: Rüştü, Ali Tandoğan, Sivok, Gökhan Zan, Tello, Aydın (Min. 37. Serdar Özkan), Cisse, Uğur İnceman (Min. 46 Nobre), Holosko (Min. 85 Serdar Kurtuluş), Delgado, Bobo
Goals: Min. 10 Bienuk, Min. 36 Sege Pacome (Antalyaspor), Min. 78. Delgado, Min. 80 and 90 Bobo (Beşiktaş)
Yellow Cards: Min. 50 Ali Zitouni, Min. 60 Serge Pacome (Antalyaspor)

Source: Anadolu Agency

IMPORTANT NOTE: Match lineups, player substitutions, goals, yellow and red cards, referee and observer reports are not based on official TFF data and might not be binding.