Beşiktaş beats Kocaelispor 2-1 after controversial penalty

Beşiktaş defeated Kocaelispor 2-1 at Tüpraş Stadium in the Süper Lig's seventh round, moving to 15 points while the visitors stayed on 12. Both sides entered the match with identical records of four wins and two losses.

Orkun Kökcü opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a strike from the edge of the box. Kocaelispor responded quickly as Show levelled in the 27th minute after goalkeeper Alexander Nübel parried a corner into his path.

“We came here not to talk about football but about the referee. I apologise to my players for failing to protect their rights on the pitch.”

The decisive moment arrived in the 29th minute when referee Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy awarded a penalty for Tayfur Bingöl's challenge on Djalo. Dušan Vlahovic converted the spot-kick to make it 2-1 before half-time.

Kocaelispor created the better chances after the break, notably through Metehan Altunbaş in the 48th and 60th minutes, but could not beat the home defence. Coach Selçuk İnan introduced attacking substitutes Gulliksen, Rivas and Baku without success.

Post-match controversy dominated headlines. Kocaelispor players Tayfur Bingöl and Metehan Altunbaş both insisted the penalty was incorrect, with Altunbaş claiming a red card and penalty were missed on him. Coach Selçuk İnan delivered a scathing critique of the officiating, apologising to his players for failing to protect their rights.