Trabzonspor beat KuPS 3-1 as Mohamed Salah inspires Conference League win

Trabzonspor began their UEFA Conference League league-phase campaign with a 3-1 victory over KuPS, with Mohamed Salah scoring once and setting up Paul Onuachu for the opening goal.

Onuachu put the Turkish side ahead when he finished from inside the penalty area after being played in by Salah.

Trabzonspor then had a spell of pressure, with Salah seeing one effort from inside the box saved by the KuPS goalkeeper before sending another just wide of the left post. Melih Kabasakal also shot over from outside the area, while a header from the KuPS attack went narrowly over the bar.

KuPS forward Petteri Pennanen tested the visitors with a corner from the left which flew directly towards goal, but Trabzonspor goalkeeper Andre Onana dealt with the danger.

The match was briefly stopped while Trabzonspor midfielder Batista Mendy received treatment. The game resumed after the injury break, while Trabzonspor later made an early forced substitution.

Salah doubled Trabzonspor’s advantage with a fine finish from the right side of the penalty area, placing his shot into the far top corner. Aral Simsir then fired wide from inside the box, and Mendy Kabasakal headed over as Trabzonspor continued to threaten.

KuPS goalkeeper Kups saved a shot from Francelino inside the area, but the Trabzonspor player followed up to score into the centre of the net and make it 3-0.

KuPS reduced the deficit through Pennanen, who scored with a disguised effort from a left-sided corner that found the far bottom corner.

There were yellow cards for Trabzonspor’s Samet Akaydin and KuPS players Piotr Barisic and Julius Eskesen. Akaydin was booked during a period when play was concentrated in midfield, while Eskesen was cautioned for a strong challenge on Trabzonspor’s Benjamin Bouchouari. Trabzonspor also won a free-kick in the defensive half after Cenk Ozkacar was fouled.

With two minutes added at the end of the match, KuPS were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Akaydin’s hand. Piotr stepped up, but his effort towards the left corner was saved by Onana. The KuPS player then attempted to score from the rebound but lifted the ball over the crossbar.

The match was also interrupted by fireworks. KuPS made three substitutions, while Trabzonspor used a second and third change after their initial forced replacement.

KuPS threatened with a header that cleared the bar, but could not find a second goal. Trabzonspor held on to secure a 3-1 win after leading 1-0 at the end of the first half.