The match between Başakşehir and Fenerbahce was filled with drama, not just from the goals scored, but also due to numerous controversial calls made by the referee and VAR. Fenerbahce's Edin Dzeko was involved in a penalty shout in the 14th minute, which was dismissed after a VAR review. Diego Carlos of Fenerbahce avoided a second yellow card despite a strong challenge, leading to protests from Başakşehir players.
Adding to the controversy, Başakşehir's social media team posted a sarcastic comment referencing volleyball rules after Talisca appeared to handle the ball. Later, Fenerbahce players appealed for a penalty when the ball seemed to hit Opoku's hand, but again, the VAR review didn't change the initial decision. This made Burak Pakkan the first referee this season to stick with his original call despite being prompted to review it by VAR.
Jose Mourinho visibly protested the decisions from the sidelines, further underscoring the tension surrounding the officiating. Despite these distractions, Fenerbahce managed to secure a comfortable win, demonstrating their resilience and attacking talent. The match highlighted the ongoing debate about the effectiveness and consistency of VAR in Turkish football.