The derby between Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş is one of Istanbul’s biggest rivalries and has produced matches defined by goals, comebacks, red cards and trophies. Choosing only five requires an editorial judgment, so this list prioritizes competitive stakes, drama and moments that left a lasting mark on the rivalry.
The 5 best Fenerbahçe vs Beşiktaş derby matches
Goals, comebacks, red cards and even a striker forced to play goalkeeper: the Istanbul rivalry between Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş has produced some unforgettable matches.
This was not a league game: the Turkish Cup was on the line. At İzmir Atatürk Stadium, Beşiktaş won 4-2 and lifted the trophy. Yusuf Şimşek opened the scoring, Bobo struck twice and Filip Hološko added the fourth. Dani Güiza and Alex de Souza scored for Fenerbahçe. Bobo was also named the final’s most valuable player.
4. Fenerbahçe 2-3 Beşiktaş – May 3, 2006
One of the most important finals in the history of the derby. Beşiktaş defeated Fenerbahçe 3-2 after extra time to win the Turkish Cup. The match was tied 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, but Tümer Metin scored the decisive goal in extra time to give the Black Eagles the title. Beyond the drama of a final between two major rivals, the match was also marked by Fábio Luciano’s red card and a thrilling finish that allowed Beşiktaş to lift the trophy against one of its biggest rivals.
3. Beşiktaş 3-3 Fenerbahçe – February 25, 2019
Beşiktaş appeared to have the match under control after taking a 3-0 lead into halftime at Vodafone Park. Gökhan Gönül scored first and Burak Yılmaz added two more. Fenerbahçe then completed a remarkable comeback in just 12 second-half minutes: Miha Zajc scored in the 55th, Sadık Çiftpınar in the 61st and Hasan Ali Kaldırım in the 67th to make it 3-3.
2. Fenerbahçe 3-4 Beşiktaş – November 29, 2020
Fifteen years after another famous 4-3 at the same stadium, Beşiktaş again won a Süper Lig derby away to Fenerbahçe. Vincent Aboubakar scored twice before the visitors went down to ten men when Cyle Larin was sent off early in the second half. Even so, Necip Uysal and Fabrice N’Sakala added further goals as Beşiktaş held on for a 4-3 victory.1. Fenerbahçe 3-4 Beşiktaş – April 17, 2005
1. Fenerbahçe 3-4 Beşiktaş – April 17, 2005
Few matches capture the derby’s chaos better. Beşiktaş won 4-3 through goals from Tümer Metin, John Carew, İbrahim Akın and Koray Avcı. With roughly ten minutes remaining, goalkeeper Óscar Córdoba was dismissed after Beşiktaş had used all its substitutions, forcing Daniel Pancu to go in goal. Alex de Souza converted the penalty for 3-3, but Koray Avcı struck in stoppage time to seal a historic win and create Pancu’s “Kadıköy Panteri” legend.
