Beşiktaş 4-1 Marseille: Three second-half goals settle Europa League opener

Beşiktaş turn level game into convincing win

Beşiktaş defeated Marseille 4-1 at Besiktas Park in the UEFA Europa League League Stage - 1 on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The hosts led 1-1 at half-time before producing three second-half goals to secure the victory. Beşiktaş used a 4-1-4-1 formation under V. Italiano, while Marseille lined up in a 4-2-3-1 coached by Bruno Genesio.

Early goals set the pattern

Beşiktaş opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Junior Olaitan supplied the assist for Ilhan Fakili, who finished the move to put the home side ahead. Marseille responded in the 29th minute when Himad Abdelli created the chance for Keyliane Abdallah, who restored parity before the interval.

The decisive period arrived after the break. Václav Černý put Beşiktaş back in front in the 56th minute after a pass from Orkun Kökçü. Three minutes later, Kökçü provided another assist, this time for Amir Murillo, giving the hosts a two-goal advantage. Ernest Poku completed the scoring in the 81st minute, finishing after another assist from Olaitan.

Beşiktaş held the stronger attacking numbers

The statistics support a generally superior performance from Beşiktaş. They had 54% possession, completed 460 accurate passes compared with Marseille’s 382, and recorded 18 total shots to Marseille’s 14. The difference was sharper in the penalty area: Beşiktaş had 13 shots inside the box and seven shots on goal, while Marseille managed six inside the box and three on target.

Marseille did produce more shots from outside the box, with eight to Beşiktaş’s five, and finished with nine shots off target compared with eight for the hosts. Both teams had three corners. The final margin therefore reflected Beşiktaş’s greater efficiency and stronger presence in promising areas rather than an overwhelming advantage in every shooting category.

Discipline and substitutions

Emmanuel Agbadou was booked for Beşiktaş in the 10th minute and was replaced by Tiago Djaló at half-time. Marseille’s Amine Harit received the only visiting yellow card in the 72nd minute, while Fabio Miretti was booked for Beşiktaş in the 90th. Neither side received a red card. Václav Černý made way for Poku in the 71st minute, and the substitute scored 10 minutes later.

Olaitan leads the ratings

Junior Olaitan was the standout performer, receiving an 8.3 rating. He supplied two assists, made three key passes and completed two tackles in 82 minutes. Fakili also made a major contribution with a goal and an 8.1 rating, while Kökçü earned a 7.9 after creating two goals.

The supplied League Round standings list Beşiktaş 14th and Marseille 22nd, with both teams shown on zero points from zero games. Those listed positions and totals do not reflect an updated post-match table. Beşiktaş entered with five wins and one loss in the stated recent form and now have this victory added to the completed match record; no recent form data was supplied for Marseille.