ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE — Mauro Icardi delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing as Galatasaray demolished nine-man Eyupspor 5-1 at RAMS Park, with the Argentine striker's hat-trick headlining a dominant display from the hosts. Yunus Akgün opened the floodgates after just two minutes, and despite Metehan Altunbas's late consolation, Jerome Onguene's own goal in the 87th minute capped a comprehensive victory that underlined the gulf between the sides.
The rout began almost immediately. Yunus Akgün needed only two minutes to break the deadlock, catching Eyupspor's defense cold with a composed finish that set the tone for the evening. The visitors barely had time to settle before finding themselves chasing the game, and their troubles would only multiply as Galatasaray's attacking machine shifted into high gear.
Icardi doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, showcasing the predatory instincts that have made him one of Turkish football's most feared strikers. The Argentine found space in the box and made no mistake, beating the Eyupspor goalkeeper with precision. The visitors' hopes of mounting a comeback evaporated seven minutes later when Bedirhan Özyurt received his marching orders in the 38th minute, reducing Eyupspor to ten men and leaving them with a mountain to climb.
The numerical disadvantage proved insurmountable. Icardi struck again just three minutes into the second half, completing his hat-trick with another clinical finish in the 48th minute. The Argentine was in unstoppable form, finding pockets of space that Eyupspor's depleted defense simply could not cover. His movement off the ball and composure in front of goal demonstrated why Galatasaray have been so prolific this season.
Galatasaray's dominance was reflected in every statistical category. The hosts controlled 62.1% of possession, pinning Eyupspor back for long stretches and dictating the tempo throughout. They peppered the goal with 21 attempts compared to Eyupspor's meager six, with nine of those efforts forcing saves from the beleaguered visiting goalkeeper. The corner count told a similar story, with Galatasaray winning 12 set pieces to Eyupspor's four, constantly applying pressure from every angle.
The tactical adjustments at halftime saw Wilfried Singo and Yáser Asprilla introduced for Galatasaray, while Eyupspor brought on Denis Radu and Metehan Altunbas in desperate attempts to stem the tide. The changes did little to alter the flow, though Altunbas did manage to restore some pride for the visitors with a well-taken goal in the 71st minute, briefly interrupting Galatasaray's procession.
Any hopes of a late Eyupspor rally were immediately extinguished when Icardi grabbed his fourth goal of the evening just one minute later in the 70th minute, though this was later credited to him as his third. The hosts continued to press forward relentlessly, with Baris Alper Yilmaz and Renato Nhaga entering the fray to maintain the intensity. Eyupspor's discipline crumbled further as Tashkin Ilter and Mateusz Legowski both collected yellow cards in the 63rd and 68th minutes respectively, their frustration boiling over.
The final indignity came three minutes from time when Jerome Onguene turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Galatasaray's relentless attack, making it 5-1 and putting an emphatic exclamation point on the hosts' superiority. The own goal summed up Eyupspor's miserable evening, where nothing went right from the opening whistle.
Galatasaray's attacking prowess was matched by their defensive solidity, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera required to make just two saves all evening. The hosts' backline, marshaled expertly throughout, rarely looked troubled despite Eyupspor's attempts to find a way back into the contest. Kaan Ayhan's introduction in the 74th minute helped see out the final stages with professional efficiency.
The match statistics painted a picture of complete dominance. While both teams committed 13 fouls apiece, Galatasaray's discipline was notable as they avoided any bookings, whereas Eyupspor collected two yellows and the crucial red card that tilted the match irreversibly. The visitors' goalkeeper made four saves in a valiant effort, but the sheer volume of Galatasaray's attacks made the outcome inevitable once the numerical advantage was established.
This result continues Galatasaray's impressive form, building on recent victories that have seen them score freely and control matches with authority. The hosts' ability to capitalize on their opponent's misfortune demonstrated the ruthless efficiency of a team with genuine title ambitions. For Eyupspor, the evening represented a harsh lesson in the quality gap at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
Buoyed by this emphatic result, Galatasaray now prepare for their next fixture on February 15, while Eyupspor must quickly regroup and address the defensive vulnerabilities so brutally exposed under the RAMS Park lights.