Beşiktaş faced Alanyaspor on December 21, 2024, at Tüpraş Stadium, where the two clubs played to a thrilling 1-1 draw. This match marked the first occurrence this season where both teams scored within the initial ten minutes, setting the stage for an engaging battle.
Alanyaspor struck first five minutes in, with Nuno Lima finding the back of the net after capitalizing on a corner kick. The scoring opened with Lima's powerful shot which found its way through the defense, sparking early celebrations for the visiting fans. Just two minutes later, Rafa Silva of Beşiktaş equalized, demonstrating the rapid pace of the match. Picking up on sloppy defending from Alanyaspor, Silva intercepted a short backpass intended for their goalkeeper, deftly maneuvering around Ertuğrul Taşkıran to slot home the equalizer.
With the match tied at 1-1, both sides had opportunities, but neither could reclaim the lead. The draw pushed Beşiktaş's points total to 26, keeping them well afloat, whereas Alanyaspor would increase their tally to 18. This result, though maintaining safety for Beşiktaş, continues to reflect their significant struggles over recent weeks.
Indeed, Beşiktaş has only managed to win one of their last eight matches. They recorded four losses and three draws during this stretch with their only victory coming against Fenerbahçe earlier this season. Some analysts worry about the team’s performance consistency, as this draws persist, leading to questions about their future matches and standing as the season progresses.
Rafa Silva's performance stood out not just for the equalizing goal, which was his first in seven matches, but also for his determination to revive his score sheet—a notable asset for Beşiktaş’s setup. Silva celebrated this moment as it marked his fourth goal of the season, lighting the path toward potential recovery for both himself and the team, having also scored against Konyaspor, Samsunspor, and Antalyaspor earlier this campaign.
The match also highlighted several pivotal refereeing decisions, particularly the debate surrounding the controversial call involving Florent Hadërgjonaj. He appeared to handle the ball within the penalty area during the first half, but referee Cihan Aydın opted to allow play to continue, sparking outcry from the Beşiktaş side. Reactions to this decision dominated discussions post-match—former referees analyzed the situation on beIN Sports, dissecting the accuracy of the call and its significance within the game's flow.
The rematch at Tüpraş Stadium found itself attended by fewer fans than expected, as Beşiktaş has not performed strongly enough to keep their supporters engaged, leading to empty seats across the stands. These missing fans serve as visual evidence of the rising frustration with their team's performance.
While Alanyaspor's Lima and Beşiktaş's Silva drew applause early on, the remainder of the match was filled with missed chances as both teams failed to capitalize on follow-up opportunities. Beşiktaş, particularly, came close during the 82nd minute when Semih Kılıçsoy was left with golden opportunities but could not convert. A decisive show might have altered the course of their season—this missed opportunity lingers heavily as they prepare for future encounters.
The match concluded as the teams settled for not just one point apiece but also left Beşiktaş reflecting on their recent form. Going forward, pulling together to overcome their stagnant energy will be imperative for the squad as they navigate through the remainder of the season.
