Ankara: Galatasaray defeated Goztepe 3-2 at home Saturday in the third week of the Turkish Super Lig. Goztepe initially took the lead in the 16th minute when Efkan Bekiroglu's corner from the right was headed toward the far post by Henrique, allowing Miroshi to find the net.
According to Anadolu Agency, Galatasaray came close to an equalizer in the 31st minute. Gabriel Sara's shot from the edge of the penalty area narrowly missed the post following a cross by Sallai. Two minutes later, the hosts managed to level the score at 1-1. Sallai's free kick from the right side of the penalty arc was headed back across goal by Lucas Torreira, with the ball deflecting off Davinson Sanchez and into the net.
Just before halftime, Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen nearly put his team ahead, but Goztepe goalkeeper Matej Gugeshashvili saved his effort after a through ball from Sallai. The first half concluded with a 1-1 draw.
Galatasaray began the second half aggressively, creating several opportunities with the duo of Osimhen and Yunus Akgun. The Istanbul side took the lead in the 55th minute when Sara's shot from the right side of the penalty area found the net, despite Gugeshashvili getting a hand to it.
A VAR review in the 63rd minute awarded Galatasaray a penalty after Osimhen went down in the area following a challenge by Goztepe defender Chris Akonnor. Osimhen successfully converted the penalty to extend the lead to 3-1.
Goztepe quickly responded two minutes later, with Juan heading home from close range after Henrique flicked on a long throw from Arda Okan Kurtulan, reducing the deficit to 3-2. Galatasaray thought they had restored their two-goal advantage in the 67th minute when Osimhen headed in Sallai's cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
In stoppage time, Osimhen came close to adding another goal, but Gugeshashvili denied him in the 90+4th minute. The victory marks an important win for Galatasaray in the ongoing Turkish Super Lig season.
In other results on Saturday, Konyaspor was defeated 2-1 by Kocaelispor, and Gaziantep FK lost 2-1 to Rizespor.