Galatasaray bags Turkish Super Cup with win over Beşiktaş

The match in the Central Anatolian province of Konya saw the two Istanbul giants battle for the curtain-raising trophy, which is contested by the previous season’s league and cup winners.

Beşiktaş, winners of the 2015-2016 league campaign, began the match by testing its arch-rival’s defense on several occasions.        

The team found numerous opportunities to go in front, but Galatasaray’s Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, had other ideas, leading to a scoreless first half.        

Beşiktaş kept up the attack on Galatasaray’s goal after the interval, with forward Cenk Tosun missing a clear chance on goal in the 54th minute.        

But with an unlucky Beşiktaş side missing chances, the Turkish Cup winners also failed to seize its opportunities to take the lead.        

In the 72nd minute, Galatasaray’s flamboyant left-winger Armindo Bruma dribbled past defenders but his cross was caught and held by goalkeeper Tolga Zengin.        

Beşiktaş, again in the 88th and 90th minutes, was unable to convert chances, ending regular time without a goal.        

In the extra time, thanks to a classy cross from Wesley Sneijder, defender Hakan Balta made the most of his opportunity to shine for Galatasaray with a header in the 100th minute.    
   
Galatasaray could not hold out for the final 20 minutes of extra time, however, and Beşiktaş duly equalized with 13 minutes remaining when defender Aurelien Chedjou scored an own goal.

The Lions, however, blanked the Black Eagles in penalty kicks, converting three spot kicks as Beşiktaş fell short on each try.        

With the victory, Galatasaray secured its fifth Turkish Super Cup in the team’s last seven occasions. The Lions also have bagged 10 of the last 15 local cups in Turkey.