Istanbul — Galatasaray claimed a crucial 2–1 victory over Fenerbahçe in Monday’s Istanbul derby, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice in the first half before İrfan Can Kahveci’s second-half strike set up a tense finish in the Turkish Süper Lig.

The victory at RAMS Park on 26 October strengthened Galatasaray’s position in the title race and ended Fenerbahçe’s hopes of taking points from one of Turkish football’s fiercest rivalries.

Osimhen strikes twice before half-time

Galatasaray started aggressively, putting Fenerbahçe under pressure and creating opportunities through their forward line.

Their early dominance paid off in the 29th minute when Osimhen opened the scoring. The Nigerian striker finished a move created by Barış Alper Yılmaz to put the home side ahead.

Osimhen struck again just before half-time, scoring in the 44th minute after receiving an assist from defender Davinson Sánchez.

The second goal gave Galatasaray a commanding 2–0 advantage at the interval and left Fenerbahçe with a difficult task after the break.

Kahveci gives Fenerbahçe hope

Fenerbahçe returned for the second half determined to reduce the deficit and found a way back into the contest in the 62nd minute.

Kahveci finished a pass from Oğuz Aydın to make it 2–1, giving the visitors renewed hope of salvaging a result.

The goal increased the pressure on Galatasaray, who had to remain organised as Fenerbahçe searched for an equaliser.

However, the hosts managed the closing stages and protected their advantage until the final whistle, securing all three points in front of their supporters.

Osimhen leads Galatasaray's charge

Osimhen was the decisive figure, with his two first-half goals providing the foundation for Galatasaray’s victory.

The striker’s finishing proved crucial in a derby where the hosts made their strongest spell count. Sánchez also contributed with an assist, while Yılmaz played a key role in the opening goal.

For Fenerbahçe, Kahveci’s strike offered a route back into the match, but the visitors could not find a second goal to complete their comeback.

What the result means

The win lifted Galatasaray to 22 points after nine league matches, according to post-match standings, keeping them at the top of the Süper Lig table.

Fenerbahçe remained on 16 points, leaving them with work to do to close the gap on their city rivals.

Galatasaray will now look to carry the momentum into their next league fixture, while Fenerbahçe must regroup after a derby defeat in which their first-half performance proved costly.

The result underlined Osimhen’s importance to Galatasaray and gave the home side a valuable boost in the Turkish title race.