Galatasaray delivered a commanding performance as they stormed past Trabzonspor with a 4-1 victory in the Turkcell Süper Kupa semifinal, played on January 5, 2026 at Gaziantep Stadium. The win not only secured Galatasaray’s spot in the final but also reinforced their dominance over their Black Sea rivals, extending an impressive unbeaten streak in recent encounters. With goals from Barış Alper Yılmaz, Eren Elmalı, Yunus Akgün, and Mauro Icardi, the yellow-reds sent a clear message to their next opponents: they mean business.
The stage was set under the bright lights of Gaziantep Stadium, with fans buzzing in anticipation of a high-stakes clash. Galatasaray, coming off a strong run in domestic competitions, wasted no time asserting themselves. Early in the match, they pressed hard, with Barış Alper Yılmaz and Leroy Sane combining for several dangerous chances. Trabzonspor’s goalkeeper Andre Onana was called into action multiple times, denying Sara and Sane in the opening minutes and keeping the score level.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute. Sane, operating down the right, sent a precise cross to Sallai, who whipped the ball to the far post. Barış Alper Yılmaz met it with a clinical finish, giving Galatasaray a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal was Yılmaz’s fifth of the season, a testament to his growing influence in the squad. According to match reports, "Barış Alper Yılmaz, in his 23rd appearance this season, gave Galatasaray the lead with a well-timed strike."
Galatasaray didn’t let up. As the first half ticked into stoppage time, they struck again. Sallai found Yunus Akgün on the right, who played it to Icardi at the edge of the area. The Argentine star slipped the ball through to Eren Elmalı, who slotted it past Onana despite the keeper’s touch. The 45+2nd minute goal marked a triumphant return for Elmalı, who had just completed a 45-day suspension. The crowd erupted, chanting, "Cimbom’s child Eren Elmalı," a nod to the young defender’s roots and resilience. It was Elmalı’s fourth goal of the season in just sixteen matches.
Halftime arrived with Galatasaray firmly in control, leading 2-0. Yet, Trabzonspor refused to go quietly. Just ten minutes after the break, they clawed a goal back. Olaigbe darted in from the left and squared a pass to Felipe Augusto, who calmly finished at the near post in the 55th minute. Suddenly, the gap was just one, and the match seemed poised for a tense finish.
But Galatasaray had other ideas. In the 64th minute, Barış Alper Yılmaz once again played a pivotal role, setting up Sane, who danced past defenders before feeding Yunus Akgün. The Turkish international wasted no time, firing home his sixth goal of the campaign. The two-goal cushion was restored, and the momentum swung back in Galatasaray’s favor.
As the minutes ticked away, Trabzonspor struggled to mount a comeback. Galatasaray’s defense, marshaled by Abdülkerim Bardakçı and Uğurcan Çakır, held firm. The midfield, anchored by İlkay Gündoğan and Sara, controlled the tempo, snuffing out any hope of a Trabzonspor revival. Galatasaray’s substitutions—Lemina for Sanchez, Torreira for Gündoğan, and Kazımcan Karataş for Elmalı—helped maintain their energy and composure.
The final blow came in the 81st minute. Kazımcan Karataş, fresh off the bench, whipped in a cross from the left. Mauro Icardi, always the predator in the box, pounced and buried the ball into the net. It was Icardi’s tenth goal in twenty-four appearances this season, underlining his status as one of the league’s most lethal strikers. The scoreboard read 4-1, and the Galatasaray faithful could start dreaming of another trophy.
Throughout the match, both goalkeepers had their moments. Onana, despite conceding four, made several crucial saves, including a fingertip stop from Yılmaz’s header in the 48th minute. Uğurcan Çakır, meanwhile, was alert to long-range efforts and marshaled his defense with authority. The refereeing team, led by Cihan Aydın with assistants Anıl Usta and Serkan Çimen, kept a firm grip on proceedings, issuing yellow cards to Sara (28’), Batagov (50’), and Serdar Saatçı (90’).
The victory had added historical significance. Galatasaray’s win marked their second consecutive triumph over Trabzonspor at Gaziantep Stadium, following last season’s 3-0 victory in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası final. Even more impressive, the yellow-reds have now gone nine official matches unbeaten against Trabzonspor, collecting seven wins and two draws, and outscoring their rivals 22-6 in that span.
This match also marked a milestone for Galatasaray in the Turkcell Süper Kupa’s new four-team format. It was their debut in the revised competition, and they made it count, advancing to the final in style. The upcoming final, set for January 10, 2026 at Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium, will pit Galatasaray against the winner of the Fenerbahçe vs Samsunspor semifinal scheduled for January 6. The excitement is already building, with fans eager to see if Galatasaray can add yet another trophy to their illustrious cabinet.
For Trabzonspor, it was a night of frustration. Despite moments of promise—such as Augusto’s well-taken goal and several early chances—they couldn’t keep pace with Galatasaray’s relentless attack. Substitutions by coach and late-game adjustments failed to stem the tide, and the team will now look to regroup for the remainder of the season.
As the final whistle blew, the Galatasaray squad celebrated with their traveling supporters, savoring a memorable night in Gaziantep. With form, confidence, and history on their side, they now turn their attention to the Süper Kupa final, where a new chapter awaits. Will they continue their dominance, or will a new challenger rise? The answer will unfold soon at Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium.
