In a thrilling semi-final match of the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası, Tümosan Konyaspor hosted Galatasaray at the Medaş Konya Büyükşehir Stadyumu on April 22, 2025. The match, which was initially set to start at 20:30, faced a delay due to a last-minute referee change. Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy, who was scheduled to officiate, fell ill before the game, prompting Ali Yılmaz, the fourth referee, to take over the match officiating duties.
As the players took to the field, the excitement was palpable. Konyaspor aimed to leverage their home advantage against the formidable Galatasaray squad, who had recently eliminated their fierce rivals Fenerbahçe in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory. Konyaspor, on the other hand, advanced to this stage by defeating İskenderunspor 3-0.
In the buildup to the match, Galatasaray's coach Okan Buruk expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform under pressure. “Every team aims to compete for the cup. The psychological boost from our recent win against Fenerbahçe is significant, and we want to carry that momentum forward,” Buruk stated. He also mentioned that while there were some rotations in the squad, the core team remained intact, aiming for a strong performance.
Unfortunately for Konyaspor, their star player Kaan Ayhan was not included in the starting eleven due to an injury, which was a significant blow for the home team. Despite this setback, Konyaspor was determined to put up a strong fight. Their lineup featured Deniz Ertaş in goal, supported by a solid defense and a dynamic midfield, including players like Jevtovic and Ndao.
As the match kicked off, both teams showcased their tactical prowess. The first half saw Galatasaray quickly asserting dominance. The opening goal came from Victor Osimhen, who netted a header following a well-placed cross from Mertens, putting Galatasaray ahead 1-0. Just minutes later, Torreira doubled the lead, capitalizing on a rebound after Konyaspor's goalkeeper, Deniz, parried a shot. The first half concluded with Galatasaray leading 2-0, leaving Konyaspor with a steep hill to climb in the second half.
Throughout the first half, Konyaspor struggled to find their rhythm. Their attempts to break through Galatasaray's defense were met with staunch resistance. However, they did create a few opportunities, including a close-range effort from Kramer that was saved by Galatasaray's goalkeeper, Günay.
As the second half commenced, Konyaspor's coach Recep Uçar rallied his players, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and seizing any chances to get back into the match. “The cup is vital for our city, and we must give our all to turn this around,” Uçar asserted before the players returned to the field.
The match continued with a tense atmosphere as Konyaspor pushed for a goal. They increased their attacking efforts, with Yusuf Erdoğan and Melih Ibrahimoğlu trying to penetrate Galatasaray's defense. Despite their efforts, they struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, remained composed and focused on maintaining their lead. They effectively managed the game, with Osimhen and Mertens constantly threatening Konyaspor's backline. Davinson Sanchez received a yellow card for a foul during a Galatasaray counterattack, adding to the intensity of the match.
As the clock ticked down, Konyaspor's frustration grew. They managed to create a few more chances, but each time they were thwarted by Galatasaray’s solid defense and brilliant goalkeeping. The home crowd remained hopeful and vocal, urging their team to find the breakthrough.
In the 75th minute, Konyaspor thought they had found their way back into the game when they earned a corner. The crowd erupted as the ball was delivered into the box, but it was cleared by Galatasaray, who quickly transitioned into another attacking play.
With the match nearing its conclusion, Konyaspor was running out of time to find a goal. Despite their relentless efforts, they couldn’t find the back of the net. As the final whistle blew, Galatasaray secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory, showcasing their experience and tactical superiority.
Post-match, Buruk praised his team's performance, saying, “We executed our game plan effectively, and I’m proud of how the players responded to the pressure.” Meanwhile, Uçar reflected on the match, acknowledging the challenges faced without Ayhan and emphasizing the need for his team to learn from this experience.
Galatasaray now looks ahead to the final, where they will aim to capture their 19th Türkiye Kupası title, while Konyaspor will regroup and focus on their league campaign, hoping to build on the lessons learned from this semi-final clash.
