Quick Read
- Galatasaray defeated Rizespor 3-0 in a Turkish Super Lig match on February 8, 2026.
- Baris Yilmaz opened the scoring and assisted Yunus Akgun’s goal.
- Victor Osimhen sealed the victory with the third goal.
- Galatasaray remains atop the Super Lig table, three points clear of Fenerbahce.
- Rizespor is 12th, four points above the relegation zone.
RIZE (Azat TV) – Galatasaray secured a crucial 3-0 away victory against Rizespor at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday, February 8, 2026, consolidating their position at the top of the 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig table. The win, highlighted by decisive performances from Baris Yilmaz and Victor Osimhen, was vital for the reigning champions as they strive for a fourth consecutive league title amidst a tight race with rivals Fenerbahce.
Galatasaray Dominates Rizespor with Decisive Performances
The visiting side, known as Cimbom, demonstrated their domestic prowess early in the match. Baris Yilmaz, 25, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a close-range header from Noa Lang’s cross, setting the tone for Galatasaray’s control, as reported by Onefootball. Yilmaz continued to be a pivotal figure after the restart, turning provider in the 62nd minute by delivering a measured cross that Yunus Akgun nodded in, doubling Galatasaray’s lead as Rizespor’s defense faltered under pressure. Yilmaz’s performance included two attempts, seven touches in the box, and nine successful passes in the final third, underscoring his significant work rate both with and without possession.
Galatasaray maintained strong control throughout the game, boasting 59.7% possession, which allowed them to consistently press and create opportunities. Their attacking dominance was further solidified by Victor Osimhen, who, according to Pulsesports, rounded the goalkeeper for the decisive third goal, extinguishing any hope of a Rizespor comeback. Osimhen’s strike solidified his prolific form and served as a statement in a fixture that also carried the unique narrative of a “Nigerian Derby” against Rizespor’s Ibrahim Olawoyin.
Title Race Intensifies for Super Lig Leaders
The 3-0 triumph ensures Galatasaray remains atop the Super Lig table after 20 matches, holding a three-point advantage over second-placed Fenerbahce. This victory follows Galatasaray’s recent strong form, including a 4-0 league win over Kayserispor and a 3-1 Turkiye Kupasi victory against Istanbulspor earlier in the week. With little room for error, every win is crucial for Cimbom’s ambition of being crowned champions for a fourth consecutive season.
Conversely, Rizespor, known as Karadeniz Atmacası, has endured a sluggish start to 2026. The home side now finds itself 12th in the table, just four points above the relegation zone. Prior to this match, Rizespor was winless in their last six competitive outings, recording three draws and three losses, including a 2-2 draw with Istanbul Basaksehir and a 1-1 draw in the Turkiye Kupasi against third-tier Beyoğlu Yeni Çarşı, as detailed by Sportskeeda. Despite being unbeaten in their last five games at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu before this fixture, they were unable to leverage their home advantage against the league leaders.
Osimhen’s Impact in Rizespor Clash
The match also garnered attention for the “Nigerian Derby” narrative, pitting Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray against Ibrahim Olawoyin of Rizespor. While Olawoyin fought valiantly to spark Rizespor’s attack, it was Osimhen who commanded the spotlight. His late goal not only secured the 3-0 victory but also underscored his commanding style of play, earning him the moniker “King of Boys” from fans, according to Pulsesports. This individual battle added a unique layer of national pride and competition to the Super Lig fixture.
Historically, Galatasaray has dominated this fixture, winning 35 of the 52 meetings, compared to Rizespor’s eight victories, with nine draws. Galatasaray had also won each of their last seven games against Rizespor and had prevented them from keeping a clean sheet in their last nine encounters, a run dating back to 2020. This historical dominance, combined with Galatasaray’s current form – boasting the best attacking record with 47 goals and the second-best defensive record with only 14 conceded in 20 matches – positioned them as strong favorites for the match.
The decisive performance against Rizespor not only solidified Galatasaray’s lead but also highlighted the strategic depth of their squad, demonstrating their capacity to secure critical points through individual brilliance and collective tactical execution even under title-race pressure.