Gençlerbirliği rally as Tongya converts VAR penalty to boost survival bid | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Gençlerbirliği beat Kasımpaşa 3-2 to climb from 16th to 15th in the Süper Lig. Adrian Benedyczak struck in the first minute, then converted a penalty (12.) after he drew the foul. Adama Traoré headed one back (42.) before Dimitris Goutas levelled in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time. After the restart VAR confirmed the spot kick and Franco Tongya converted (70.), and the hosts finished with 60.9% possession and eight shots on target to four. Gençlerbirliği rise from 16th to 15th as Kasımpaşa drop from 13th to 14th, and Gençlerbirliği host Trabzonspor in the Türkiye Kupasi next while Kasımpaşa host Galatasaray in the Süper Lig.

Player of the Match: Dimitris Goutas commanded both boxes, scoring the equaliser, winning the decisive penalty, and adding seven clearances and eight aerial wins.

Stat of the Match: Metehan Mimaroğlu created eight key passes, a steady supply that underpinned the comeback.

Three Things We Learned: Adrian Benedyczak converted two of his three attempts, including a penalty, highlighting his efficiency. Dimitris Goutas won eight aerial duels and made seven clearances, illustrating Gençlerbirliği's set-piece edge. Gençlerbirliği delivered 30 crosses at 26.7% accuracy, a persistent route that kept pressure on the visitors.