Samsunspor faced off against Rizespor at the Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium on February 21, 2025, and experienced what can only be described as a dramatic turn of events. Starting strong, they led 2-0 at halftime, but stumbled spectacularly to finish the match with a 3-2 defeat.
From the very first minutes of the game, Samsunspor displayed aggressive intent. Just two minutes in, Celil Yüksel shot from outside the box, forcing Rizespor's goalkeeper Tarık to make a tough save. This energetic start set the stage for what seemed like it would be a successful outing for the home team.
Emre Kılınç nearly opened the scoring with a header from Dimata's cross, narrowly missing the target. It wasn't until the 23rd minute when Samsunspor struck first, albeit controversially, as Rizespor's Samet Akaydin inadvertently headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, giving Samsunspor the lead at 1-0.
Emboldened by the lead, Samsunspor continued applying pressure, culminating with Kılınç scoring another goal just before halftime, putting the home side comfortably up 2-0 and seemingly on track for victory.
Yet the second half brought unforeseen turmoil for Samsunspor. Rizespor, rejuvenated—perhaps emboldened by their own tactical adjustments—began to mount their comeback. The turning point arrived just seven minutes after the break, when Olawoyin capitalized on mishaps in the Samsunspor defense, redirecting the ball off Lubo Satka to score and bringing Rizespor within one.
Panic set in for Samsunspor as the once-comfortable lead began to slip away. They struggled with injuries and substitutions, attempting to reestablish control, but found little success. Key opportunities for Rizespor meant more pressing action. Just after the hour mark, Soner Aydoğdu’s attempt missed the target by mere inches, demonstrating how close Rizespor came to equalizing.
Then came the 86th minute, and the stadium watched with bated breath. Ali Sowe found the back of the net, leveling the score at 2-2 and shifting the momentum entirely to Rizespor. It felt almost as if the red-and-white team had lost all sense of confidence.
But the drama didn’t end there. With just two minutes left before full-time, Altin Zeqiri danced through the defense, executed deft footwork, and struck the ball decisively to clinch the victory for Rizespor—an astonishing comeback from 0-2 to 3-2.
This defeat left Samsunspor with 46 points, and questions arose about their defensive strategies and substitutions made during the game. Commentators noted, 'Samsunspor made obvious mistakes leading to defeat,' highlighting the need for tactical reassessment. Coach Thomas Reis faces criticism as he reflects on what went wrong for the team, emphasizing the need to address defensive frailties moving forward.
Rizespor's victory showcased resilience, and the post-match analysis rightfully centered on their ability to capitalize on the errors of their opponents. They demonstrated the old adage, "It’s not over until the final whistle." For Rizespor, the win is a pivotal moment as they continue to fight for their standings within the league.
Though Samsunspor started strong, this match proved to be another reminder of football's unpredictability and the cruel cuts of competition when focus wanes.