Salah lights up Papara Park as Trabzonspor overcome Istanbul Basaksehir

محمد صلاح scored twice on his Trabzonspor debut as his side secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir at Papara Park on Sunday, earning their first win of the Turkish league season.

The Egypt forward opened his account for the club in the eighth minute after reacting quickest to a cross inside the penalty area. Istanbul Basaksehir goalkeeper failed to hold the delivery, allowing Salah to meet the loose ball with a first-time shot.

His effort struck the post before crossing the goal line. The referee initially needed the assistance of the video assistant referee (VAR) before confirming the goal, giving Salah his first strike in Trabzonspor colours.

Istanbul Basaksehir were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute after VAR identified a handball inside the area. Eldor Shomurodov took responsibility from the spot and converted successfully to restore parity.

Trabzonspor regained the lead shortly after half-time. In the 48th minute, Salah combined with team-mate Muci in a well-worked move before finishing from inside the box with a powerful shot that found the back of the net.

The goal completed Salah’s second decisive contribution of the night and put Trabzonspor in front once again.

Salah, who is 34, was booked in the 78th minute after the referee judged that he had attempted to win a penalty by going to ground inside the area.

The forward continued to threaten in the closing stages and appeared to add to his tally in stoppage time. However, his effort in the second minute of added time was ruled out because of a foul.

Salah then found the net again two minutes later, but that goal was also disallowed, this time for offside.

Despite those two late rulings, Trabzonspor held on to claim a valuable victory and move to four points from their opening two matches. They had begun their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Kasımpasa and now sit third in the table.

For Istanbul Basaksehir, the result was their first defeat of the season in the Turkish league. They remain on three points and occupy eighth place.

The match also marked the first time Salah had scored for Trabzonspor, with both of his valid goals proving essential to a result that lifted his new side into the early title race positions.

Salah’s opening goal was shared in footage showing the Egypt international reacting quickly to the goalkeeper’s mistake, while further clips highlighted Istanbul Basaksehir’s penalty equaliser and the second goal created through his exchange of passes with Muci.