Mardin 1969 Spor produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat Istanbulspor 2-1 in the Turkish First League on Sunday evening. Istanbulspor led at half-time, but Mardin responded with two goals after the break to take all three points from the Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu Stadium.

Match overview

Istanbulspor started brightly and took the lead through Emre Demir, whose low finish capped a period of early pressure. The home side looked comfortable for much of the first half, keeping possession and limiting Mardin’s space in the final third. However, the game changed after the interval as Mardin increased their intensity and pushed more players forward.

Mardin’s equaliser arrived just after the hour mark and transformed the atmosphere. Istanbulspor dropped deeper, and Mardin took full advantage by creating a series of late chances. The winning goal came in the closing stages, completing a comeback that few inside the stadium would have predicted at half-time.

Key moments

• 23rd minute: Emre Demir gave Istanbulspor the lead with a composed finish inside the box after a short corner routine.
• 61st minute: Yusuf Kabadayı levelled for Mardin 1969 Spor, turning in a low cross from the right.
• 74th minute: Istanbulspor nearly restored their lead, but a header from a free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar.
• 87th minute: Mert Çelik scored the winner, rising highest to head home a corner and spark wild celebrations among the away supporters.

Tactical story

Istanbulspor’s first-half plan worked well: they controlled possession, drew Mardin out and found space between the lines. But after the break, Mardin adjusted their shape and began pressing higher. That change forced Istanbulspor into longer passes and reduced their ability to build from the back.

Mardin also used width much better in the second half, stretching the home defence and delivering crosses into dangerous areas. The winning goal came from exactly that kind of pressure, with Çelik attacking the corner aggressively. Istanbulspor, meanwhile, struggled to regain control after conceding the equaliser.

Standout performers

Yusuf Kabadayı was central to Mardin’s revival, scoring the equaliser and constantly troubling the Istanbulspor defence with his movement. Mert Çelik delivered the decisive moment with his late header. For Istanbulspor, Emre Demir was their brightest attacking player and took his goal well, but the home side could not protect their advantage.

What the result means

The win is a major boost for Mardin 1969 Spor in the Turkish First League standings, lifting them into the promotion-playoff conversation and adding momentum to their season. For Istanbulspor, the defeat adds pressure and highlights the need to manage games better when leading. The final score — Istanbulspor 1-2 Mardin 1969 Spor — was a lesson in second-half resilience.