Besiktas 4-1 Marseille – Besiktas win

The UEFA Europa League league phase match took place on 17 September 2026 at Vodafone Park in Istanbul. Besiktas hosted Marseille in front of a lively crowd, each side eager to secure three points in the competition.

How it unfolded

The opening stages were marked by a early disciplinary incident when Emmanuel Agbadou was shown a yellow card in the 10th minute for a bad foul, setting a combative tone. Just five minutes later Besiktas broke the deadlock; Ilhan Fakili received a through ball from Junior Olaitan and finished with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.

Marseille responded in the 29th minute. Keyliane Abdallah, after a swift counter-attack, slotted a left-footed strike from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, the move having been set up by Himad Abdelli’s incisive through ball, and levelled the score at 1-1.

The second half saw Besiktas regain the initiative. In the 56th minute Václav Cerný, on the right side of the box, unleashed a left-footed shot that curled into the bottom left corner, assisted by Orkun Kökçü, restoring the home side’s lead to 2-1. Merely three minutes later, in the 59th minute, Amir Murillo headed home from a corner cross delivered again by Orkun Kökçü, extending the advantage to 3-1 and shifting the momentum firmly in Besiktas’ favour.

Marseille’s Amine Harit was cautioned in the 72nd minute, receiving a yellow card as the visitors searched for a response. Besiktas sealed the victory in the 81st minute when Ernest Poku, positioned in the centre of the box, struck a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner after another precise through ball from Junior Olaitan, making the final score 4-1.

The match concluded with a late booking for Besiktas defender Fabio Miretti in injury time (90'+5") for a bad foul, but the result was already decided.

Standout performers

Ilhan Fakili opened the scoring and proved decisive in the early phases, while Junior Olaitan contributed two assists, first for Fakili and later for Ernest Poku, highlighting his creative influence. On the Marseille side, Keyliane Abdallah’s goal and Himad Abdelli’s assist provided the only reply for the visitors. Václav Cerný’s strike and Amir Murillo’s header, both set up by Orkun Kökçü, underscored Kökçü’s impact from midfield, as he delivered two crucial assists. Ernest Poku’s late goal capped a well-executed attacking display for Besiktas.

Match facts

  • Final score: Besiktas 4-1 Marseille
  • Scorers: Ilhan Fakili (15'), Václav Cerný (56'), Amir Murillo (59'), Ernest Poku (81') – Besiktas; Keyliane Abdallah (29') – Marseille
  • Assists: Junior Olaitan (15', 81'), Himad Abdelli (29'), Orkun Kökçü (56', 59')
  • Bookings: Emmanuel Agbadou (10'), Amine Harit (72'), Fabio Miretti (90'+5')
  • Venue: Vodafone Park, Istanbul

What it means

The 4-1 victory gives Besiktas three points from the Europa League league phase fixture, while Marseille collect a single point after their defeat. This result directly influences the current standing of both clubs in the competition’s group.