Galatasaray rallies from 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with Pendikspor

A three-goal second-half comeback by Galatasaray resulted in a 3-3 stalemate against Pendikspor on October 2, 2026. The match, played at Pendik Stadium during the Süper Lig’s international break, saw the home side lead 3-0 at halftime before the visitors equalized through late goals.

First-half dominance by Pendikspor

Pendikspor established an early advantage, scoring within the first quarter-hour. Taha Emir İnce headed the ball into the net in the 15th minute following a cross from Bekir Karadeniz. The hosts doubled their lead nine minutes later when Hakan Yeşil converted a rebound after Arda Ünyay cleared Emrah Başsan’s initial shot off the line. Bekir Karadeniz added a third goal in the 35th minute, finishing from a tight angle after receiving a pass from Mesut Özdemir. Galatasaray struggled to create significant chances during this period, ending the opening half trailing by three goals.

Galatasaray’s late surge for equality

The momentum shifted in the second half as Galatasaray pursued the scoreline. In the 56th minute, El Chadaille Bitshiabu struck the post with a header from İlkay Gündoğan’s corner. Pendikspor nearly extended their lead in the 64th minute, but Damir Hrelja’s attempt hit the far post and went out. The breakthrough arrived in the 67th minute when Arda Ünyay headed in Furkan Koçak’s corner kick. Arda Tagay reduced the deficit further in the 84th minute with a strike from the right side of the penalty area. Kaan Ayhan completed the turnaround in the 88th minute, converting a penalty to level the match at 3-3. No additional goals were scored, leaving the final result as a draw.

Bitshiabu makes debut under heavy rain

El Chadaille Bitshiabu, the 21-year-old French center-back loaned from RB Leipzig, made his first appearance for Galatasaray in this fixture. He started in the defensive line alongside Kaan Ayhan and Arda Ünyay. Head coach Okan Buruk deployed a starting eleven featuring Enes Emre Büyük, Kazımcan Karataş, Eyüp Aydın, Gabriel Sara, Can Armando Güner, İlkay Gündoğan, Berat Luş, and Leroy Sane. During the second half, Buruk executed seven substitutions, introducing Arda Tagay, Ismail Jakobs, Eyüp Can Karasu, Furkan Koçak, Onur Kağan Yıldız, Ada Metin Karatepe, and Efe Gündal.

The match was conducted by referee Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy and kicked off at 17:30 local time. Persistent heavy rain characterized the entire duration of the game, yet spectators remained in the stands throughout the 90 minutes.