Trabzonspor delivered a dramatic second-half turnaround to defeat Rizespor 4-3 on Monday evening at the Çaykur Didi Stadium in the eighth round of the Turkish Super Lig. The Black Sea club erased a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling victory that propels them into second place in the standings.
The hosts Rizespor made a blistering start, with striker Gennaro Borrelli striking twice in rapid succession. Borrelli opened the scoring in the 12th minute before doubling Rizespor's advantage just 20 minutes later at the half-hour mark. Trabzonspor, featuring Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah in their lineup, appeared to be heading toward a heavy defeat as they trailed by two goals heading into the interval.
Remarkable Second-Half Resurgence
The turnaround began immediately after the restart. Melih Kabasakal pulled one back in the 49th minute, providing hope for the visitors. Two minutes later, the momentum shifted decisively when Aral Şimşir equalized at 2-2 in the 51st minute. The pace of Trabzonspor's comeback accelerated when Franculino Djú completed the turnaround with a stunning third goal in the 58th minute, giving his side their first lead of the match.
Rizespor refused to surrender. Kazım Laçi pulled the hosts level once more at 3-3 with a 68th-minute strike, setting up a frantic finale. However, Franculino Djú proved to be the decisive figure, striking his second goal of the afternoon with seven minutes remaining to secure a 4-3 victory for Trabzonspor. This was one of the most entertaining matches of the Turkish Super Lig season so far, with both teams combining for seven goals in an end-to-end encounter.
Table Implications
- Trabzonspor climb to second place with 19 points after the victory
- Rizespor remain in 13th position with 10 points from eight matches
- The result highlights Trabzonspor's resilience and comeback mentality in the title race
The dramatic three-goal swing in Trabzonspor's favor demonstrates the unpredictable nature of Turkish league football this season. With Salah's creative presence in their midfield and the finishing prowess of players like Franculino Djú, Trabzonspor's playoff credentials strengthen as they vie for the championship in the coming weeks.
