Konyaspor faced off against Beşiktaş on May 5, 2026, at Tupras Stadium in Dolmabahce, Istanbul. The stakes were high as Konyaspor aimed to overcome their recent struggles against their historic rivals. Having lost six of their last seven encounters, they entered the match with an uphill battle.
The game unfolded with Beşiktaş dominating early possession and even hitting the woodwork twice. Yet, football often has a way of surprising us. In a dramatic turn of events, Konyaspor scored the winning goal in the 90+8th minute from a penalty awarded after Junior Olaitan was deemed to have fouled an opponent.
This moment marked a significant milestone for Konyaspor, as it not only secured their place in the Ziraat Turkish Cup final but also represented their second consecutive victory decided by a late penalty. Junior Olaitan, who caused the decisive penalty, broke down in tears after the match ended—a testament to the emotional weight of such a moment.
Despite Beşiktaş’s pressure throughout the match, including numerous missed opportunities, they were left shaken by the late turn of events. A reporter noted, “İstatistikler Beşiktaş demişti… Ancak Hikâyeyi Konya yazdı…”—statistics favored Beşiktaş, but it was Konyaspor that wrote the story.
Konyaspor will now face the winner of Trabzonspor vs Gençlerbirliği in the final scheduled for May 22, 2026. This upcoming match promises to be another chapter in Konyaspor’s evolving history as they seek to establish themselves further in Turkish football.