Galatasaray All But Seal Super Lig Crown With Derby Win Over Fenerbahce

Osimhen stars as Galatasaray dominate Fenerbahce in Istanbul derby  

Victor Osimhen, Baris Alper Yilmaz and Lucas Torreira scored as Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in the derby to extend their lead to seven points with three games left.

A 3-0 victory in the Intercontinental Derby left Galatasaray seven points clear, with fans celebrating what looks to be the decisive blow in the title race...

Galatasaray sealed their 26th Super Lig title with a 4-2 win over Antalyaspor on Saturday, opening a four-point lead with one match left. The victory marks their fourth consecutive league crown, matching the club’s own record from 1996 to 2000. Once again they held off Fenerbahce to underline their dominance in Turkish football with a squad full of star names.

They moved to the top of the table in matchweek four and stayed there for the rest of the season.

Fatih Terim was manager the last time Galatasaray won four straight titles, and current boss Okan Buruk was a player under him during that run. Now Buruk will be aiming to push past that record next season.

The league triumph came alongside a run to the Champions League last 16. That included beating Juventus over two legs in the play-offs and picking up home wins against Liverpool.

It wasn’t a flawless campaign. There were stumbles along the way, so which results and standout wins defined Galatasaray’s 2025/26 Super Lig season?

Ugurcan Cakir’s Heroics Seal Gritty Win at Alanyaspor

Galatasaray kicked off the Super Lig season with a 12-game unbeaten run that included seven straight wins. The 1-0 victory at Alanyaspor on September 26th, 2025, came thanks to a Mauro Icardi goal, and it mattered for more than just the three points.

It was a classic backs-to-the-wall performance. Alanyaspor dominated the chances with 22 shots to Galatasaray’s eight, but the champions found a way to grind it out. The difference was goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, who put in a statement display to announce himself as the new No. 1.

Cakir, who arrived last summer from Trabzonspor for around €30 million to replace Fernando Muslera, was named Man of the Match after making eight saves to preserve the clean sheet. He went on to have a standout season, quickly becoming a leader in the dressing room and a favorite among the fans.

Osimhen’s Overhead Kick Seals Dramatic Win Over Samsunspor

After 14 matchweeks Galatasaray led the table by a single point and faced a tough test against a well-drilled Samsunspor side. The Istanbul club went 2-0 up within half an hour through goals from Leroy Sane and Victor Osimhen, but Samsunspor fought back to make it 2-2 late on. Just when a draw looked likely, Osimhen produced a stunning overhead kick in stoppage time to snatch a huge 3-2 win and keep Gala’s momentum rolling.

Title Charge Wobbles After European Exit

Coming off a heavy Champions League loss at Liverpool and a 2-1 defeat at Trabzonspor, Galatasaray looked drained. Victor Osimhen was also sidelined with an injury picked up against Liverpool, leaving them without their main striker for several weeks. Their lead at the top had shrunk to four points, and nerves were growing ahead of the upcoming Fenerbahce derby.

A win at Goztepe became essential, and Gala looked set for it after racing to a 2-0 lead inside 19 minutes through a Baris Alper Yilmaz header and an own goal. That control didn’t last. Five minutes into the second half Juan Santos pulled one back, and Goztepe pushed hard for an equalizer. Gala lost their grip on the game and were nearly punished when Janderson missed a glaring chance to make it 2-2.

 

Goztepe’s pressure kept building until Mario Lemina headed home from a Gabriel Sara corner to restore a two-goal cushion. The goal settled things and gave Galatasaray what could be the decisive win in the title race.

Title on the Line in Istanbul Derby

With a four-point lead and four games left, Galatasaray hosted Fenerbahce in a massive clash. The rivals had been trading blows all season on and off the pitch, and Gala had the chance to end Fener’s hopes of a first title since 2014.

Fenerbahce started stronger and won an early penalty, but Anderson Talisca blazed it wide. That miss flipped the game, and Galatasaray took control for the rest of the match.

Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Fener’s night got worse when goalkeeper Ederson was sent off just after the hour mark for reckless behavior. Baris Alper Yilmaz then made it 2-0 from the spot.

 

Lucas Torreira added a third in the 83rd minute to put the result beyond doubt. In that moment it felt like the title was sealed, and Galatasaray’s players and fans celebrated long into the night.