Galatasaray on brink of 20th Turkish league title

ISTANBUL

Galatasaray players surround teammate Wesley Sneijder, obscured, of Netherlands, as they celebrate his goal during the Turkish League derby soccer match between Galatasaray and Besiktas, at Turk Telekom Arena, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, May 24, 2015. AP Photo

Galatasaray beat city rival Beşiktaş 2-0 in a Spor Toto Super League game at Türk Telekom Arena in Istanbul on May 24, all but clinching a third title in four years with just one week remaining.

Galatasaray’s closest rival Fenerbahçe will play at Istanbul Başakşehir later on May 25. The Lions will be crowned champions in the event of a draw or a loss for Fenerbahçe, but if the latter wins to keep pace with the leader, Galatasaray will need just a draw next week at 15th-place Çaykur Rizespor to claim the title.

At Türk Telekom Arena, home team Galatasaray started brightly with Turkish winger Yasin Öztekin finding the net in the 11th minute.

Galatasaray found some insurance in the 80th minute when Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder smashed the ball in from outside the area to make the score 2-0.

Galatasaray now has 76 points, followed by Fenerbahçe with 70, pending the match away to Başakşehir, and Beşiktaş in third with 66 points.

Beşiktaş’s loss also consigned the Black Eagles to the Europa League, as the Istanbul side can no longer catch Fenerbahçe for the second Champions League place.

Before kick-off, Galatasaray fans in the stadium performed a choreography symbolizing the club’s possible 20th domestic league title.

Also in May 24’s matches, 10-man Gaziantepspor won 3-2 at home against Eskişehirspor while Sivasspor lost 2-1 at already-relegated Kardemir Karabükspor.