Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe draw as goals galore in Istanbul derby
ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency
Turkish top-tier Spor Toto Süper Lig giants Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe drew 3-3 in Monday's thrilling derby at Beşiktaş' home, Vodafone Park in Istanbul.
In the 10th minute of the showdown, Beşiktaş took the lead when their Turkish right back Gökhan Gönül fired a close range volley in the box.
Beşiktaş were awarded a penalty when Gökhan was fouled in the penalty box. The referee pointed the penalty spot after viewing this foul on the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system.
In the 18th minute Beşiktaş' Turkish striker Burak Yılmaz converted the penalty successfully as they doubled the gap, 2-0.
Near the end of the first half Beşiktaş made it three when Burak netted the goal on a counter attack.
Beşiktaş led the first half.
In the 55th minute of the derby, Fenerbahçe narrowed the gap to two. Fenerbahçe winger Nabil Dirar passed the ball to the near post to find one of his teammates to score as Slovenian central midfielder Miha Zajc put the ball into Beşiktaş net.
In the 62nd minute, Fenerbahçe central defender Sadık Çiftpınar's header beat Beşiktaş goalkeeper Loris Karius. Fenerbahçe's French winger Mathieu Valbuena assisted Sadık since the second goal kept hopes alive for Fenerbahçe.
Five minutes later Fenerbahçe equalized the score as visitors' left back Hasan Ali Kaldırım fired a long range shot. Karius plunged the ball but he was unable to reach it.
Beşiktaş sit at third spot in the league table with 40 points, 11 points behind league leaders Medipol Başakşehir.
Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, are currently passing through their worst season in the league's history, they are in 14th place with 25 points.
The other Istanbul club Medipol Başakşehir reign Super Lig with six-point lead.
In 23 league games this season, leaders Başakşehir have 51 points. They are followed by Galatasaray with 45 points in standings.
On Feb. 24, Galatasaray beat Akhisarspor 1-0 while Medipol Başakşehir defeated Bursaspor 3-0.
