It was a night of records, redemption, and relentless action at RAMS Park as Galatasaray defeated İstanbulspor 3-1 in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası A Grubu’s pivotal third-week clash on February 4, 2026. The home crowd witnessed history in the making as Mauro Icardi etched his name into the club’s record books, becoming Galatasaray’s all-time top foreign goalscorer. Yet, the evening offered much more than just a milestone – it was a showcase of squad depth, tactical rotation, and the resilience that has come to define the yellow-reds in Turkish football.
From the opening whistle, the energy inside RAMS Park was electric. Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk, facing a congested fixture list with the UEFA Champions League and Süper Lig commitments looming, made the expected decision to rotate his squad. The absence of key players Leroy Sané and Arda Ünyay due to injuries – Sané nursing a torn ligament and bleeding in his right ankle, and Ünyay sidelined with a hamstring strain – meant opportunities for fringe players and recent signings to shine under the floodlights.
Fans didn’t have to wait long for fireworks. In just the 5th minute, Ahmed Kutucu burst down the left and delivered a sharp pass to Icardi, who wasted no time smashing the ball into the net from a tight angle. That goal wasn’t just an early opener – it was the one that pushed Icardi past the legendary Gheorghe Hagi as Galatasaray’s most prolific foreign scorer. According to official club statistics, Icardi’s 73rd goal in his 118th appearance set a new benchmark, and the stadium erupted in celebration for their Argentine talisman.
“Icardi’s goal set a new record as Galatasaray’s top foreign goalscorer, surpassing Gheorghe Hagi,” reported Fanatik, underlining the significance of the achievement for both the player and the club’s history.
Galatasaray’s intent was clear: they wanted to wrap up qualification for the next round with a game to spare. The team pressed forward with confidence, and by the 24th minute, the hosts doubled their lead. Asprilla, a recent addition to the squad, whipped in a cross from the right, which İstanbulspor’s Demir Mermerci could only partially clear. The ball fell kindly to Torreira at the edge of the box, and the Uruguayan’s low drive zipped past goalkeeper İsa Doğan to make it 2-0.
But İstanbulspor, despite a difficult run of form and a solitary point in the group, showed they weren’t just making up the numbers. In the 26th minute, they capitalized on a rare Galatasaray defensive lapse. Lemina’s misplaced pass was pounced upon by Mamadou, who coolly slotted the ball past Günay Güvenç after rounding the keeper. The visitors had a lifeline, and for a brief spell, the match threatened to become a contest.
However, Galatasaray’s response was swift and ruthless. Only seven minutes later, İlkay Gündoğan – another of the night’s standout performers – picked out Ahmed Kutucu with a precise pass. Kutucu cut inside and unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the area, restoring the two-goal cushion and sending the home support into raptures. The first half ended with Galatasaray firmly in control, 3-1 up and showing no signs of letting the tempo drop.
“Galatasaray led 3-1 at halftime and maintained the lead to win the match,” noted match reports, capturing the sense of authority the home side held over proceedings.
The second half saw both sides forced into changes, most notably after a scary collision in the 52nd minute between Kutucu and İstanbulspor’s keeper İsa Doğan. Both players were unable to continue, leading to substitutions that tested the squads’ depth. For Galatasaray, Jakobs replaced Kutucu, while İstanbulspor brought on Mücahit Serbest in goal.
There was another moment of joy for the Galatasaray faithful as Wilfried Singo made his long-awaited return to action after 75 days out, coming on for Lemina. The defender’s comeback added another layer of optimism to an already buoyant atmosphere at RAMS Park.
As the match wore on, Galatasaray continued to probe for a fourth goal. Icardi came close to doubling his tally in the 65th minute, narrowly missing the target after a slick move involving Asprilla. İstanbulspor, to their credit, never gave up the chase. Mamadou tested Günay again in the 69th minute, but the Galatasaray keeper was equal to the task, keeping the visitors at bay.
Throughout the match, the influence of Asprilla and İlkay Gündoğan was evident. Asprilla, in particular, dazzled with his dribbling and creativity on the right flank, while İlkay’s vision and composure in midfield orchestrated much of Galatasaray’s attacking play. The tactical rotation by Okan Buruk paid dividends, with players stepping up and showing the depth that could prove crucial as the season intensifies.
“This group is strong. Trabzonspor, Alanyaspor, and Başakşehir are all winning. If we win, we’ll almost guarantee qualification for the next round. We care about the Turkish Cup. We won it last year, and this year we’re fighting with my players to win it again,” said manager Okan Buruk before the match, according to Fanatik. His words resonated as Galatasaray matched ambition with execution on the pitch.
The victory pushed Galatasaray’s group tally to 9 points, maintaining their perfect record in the A Grubu and putting them on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages. İstanbulspor, meanwhile, remained on a single point, their hopes of progression now hanging by a thread. The defeat also extended İstanbulspor’s winless run against Galatasaray to seven official matches, a streak stretching back to 2004.
Referee Reşat Onur Coşkunses kept a firm grip on proceedings, ensuring the match flowed despite the physical battles and occasional flashpoints. The VAR system was in operation, but there were no major controversies to overshadow the football on display.
For Galatasaray, the evening was about more than just three points. It was a statement of intent in the Turkish Cup, a celebration of a new club record, and a demonstration of squad unity and depth. With key players returning from injury and new signings settling in, the yellow-reds look well-placed for the challenges ahead – both domestically and in Europe.
As the final whistle blew and the players saluted their supporters, the sense of momentum was unmistakable. Galatasaray’s march in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası continues, and with Icardi rewriting the history books, the club’s ambitions show no signs of slowing down.