Ten-man Corum stun Galatasaray with debut draw in Süper Lig opener

Corum FK announced their arrival in the Turkish Süper Lig with a remarkable 2-2 draw against four-time defending champions Galatasaray at RAMS Park on Friday evening. The promoted side, playing their first-ever top-flight fixture in Türkiye's premier football division, showcased immense resilience after surrendering a 2-1 lead and finishing the match with ten players. Galatasaray, who entered the 2026-27 season as overwhelming favorites, dominated possession but found themselves frustrated by the visitors' disciplined defensive setup throughout a goalless opening half that featured an offside goal from Yunus Akgun.

Osimhen breaks deadlock before visitors' stunning response

Victor Osimhen finally broke the stalemate in the 53rd minute, converting Lucas Torreira's lofted delivery with a composed finish from a narrow angle to give the hosts the lead. However, Corum responded emphatically within six minutes when Alexandros Kiziridis netted a spectacular long-range effort from distance, arcing the ball into the top-right corner to register the club's historic maiden goal in the Süper Lig. Just one minute later, the visitors completed a sensational turnaround as Ramirez capitalized on Davinson Sanchez's misplaced back-pass, calmly lobbing goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to put the debutants 2-1 ahead.

Red card shifts momentum but Corum hold firm

Corum's momentum suffered a blow in the 70th minute when Kiziridis received a straight red card for a foul on Akgun, reducing the visitors to ten men for the final 20 minutes of regulation time. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the newly promoted outfit nearly extended their lead in the 80th minute when Cakir produced a crucial save to deny Ramirez in a one-on-one situation, preserving Galatasaray's hopes of a comeback. The champions piled on relentless pressure in the closing stages, and their persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Osimhen rose highest to meet Gabriel Sara's corner, heading powerfully into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night.

Late drama and unbeaten run preserved

Cakir then produced another vital stop in stoppage time, denying Mame Thiam's header to prevent Corum from snatching a dramatic winner against the run of play. Galatasaray pushed forward in search of a late victory but were unable to breach the visitors' resolute defense as the final whistle confirmed a hard-earned point for the debutants. The result extends Galatasaray's unbeaten home league streak to 36 matches, with their last defeat in front of their own supporters dating back to May 19, 2024, against Fenerbahce. For Corum, the draw marks a historic milestone as they embark on their Süper Lig journey, proving they can compete with Türkiye's elite on the biggest stage.