Göztepe 2-2 Çaykur Rizespor — Göztepe and Çaykur Rizespor shared the spoils in a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Turkish Süper Lig on September 21, 2026, with the Gürsel Aksel Stadyumu witnessing a match that swung one way and then the other before ending level.

Match overview

Göztepe, backed by a passionate home crowd in Izmir, started on the front foot and took an early lead through a well-worked move down the left. Çaykur Rizespor responded with the kind of resilient away performance that has become their trademark, scoring twice in the second half to turn the game around. Just when it looked like the Black Sea side would leave with all three points, Göztepe found an equaliser to cap a frantic final ten minutes. The draw was a fair reflection of a contest in which both teams had spells of control but neither could land a knockout blow.

Key moments

• 9th minute: Göztepe took the lead when their winger cut inside and curled a shot into the far corner after a slick passing sequence.
• 34th minute: Rizespor equalised from a set piece, their midfielder arriving late to steer a header past the goalkeeper.
• 52nd minute: The visitors went ahead for the first time, capitalising on a loose pass and finishing calmly on the counterattack.
• 81st minute: Göztepe levelled with a powerful header from a corner, sending the home support into raptures.
• 90+4th minute: Rizespor had a chance to win it from a free-kick, but the effort sailed just over the bar.

Tactical story

Göztepe dominated possession in the first half, using their full-backs to create overloads and forcing Rizespor into a deep defensive block. However, the home side’s high line was exposed twice after the break, and Rizespor’s speed in transition proved difficult to contain. The visitors’ midfield trio worked tirelessly to close gaps, and their ability to win second balls gave them a platform to counter. Göztepe’s manager responded with attacking substitutions, which ultimately paid off with the late equaliser. The match highlighted Göztepe’s attacking flair but also their vulnerability when the game becomes stretched.

Standout players

Göztepe’s left winger was the standout performer, scoring the opener and causing problems throughout with his direct running. Their central defender was strong in the air and scored the late equaliser, though he was also beaten for Rizespor’s second goal. For Çaykur Rizespor, the midfielder who scored the first equaliser controlled the tempo well, while the striker who scored the second showed great composure. The Rizespor goalkeeper made three important saves to keep his side in the game, especially in the first half.

What the result means for the table

The draw leaves both clubs in mid-table early in the Süper Lig season, though each will see it as a missed opportunity to climb. Göztepe remain unbeaten at home but need to convert draws into wins if they are to challenge for a European place. Çaykur Rizespor continue to show they are a difficult side to beat on the road, and their away form could be key to a comfortable finish. In the head-to-head record, this result adds another tight encounter between two teams that often produce entertaining matches. The Süper Lig standings remain congested, and both sides will look to build momentum in the coming weeks.