Beşiktaş capitalise on Midtjylland red card for Europa League win
Reviewed by Elison · Thu 30 Jul 2026UEFA Europa League · 2nd Qualifying Round
FC MidtjyllandFULL-TIME
BeşiktaşThursday 30 July 2026 · 19:00
Our score 1-1MissedHot tip Full-time draw✗ Lost
Introduction
Beşiktaş secured a confident 2-0 victory over FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League, a result that was shaped decisively by a pivotal disciplinary moment early in the second half. The Turkish side produced a composed and clinical performance once the numerical advantage fell in their favour, with goals from M. Rashica and O. Kökcü sealing all three points and underlining Beşiktaş’s growing credentials in the competition.
How the Game Unfolded
Discipline proved costly for FC Midtjylland from early on. Mads Bech Sørensen was booked in the 35th minute, and Martin Erlic followed with a yellow card on 44 minutes. Erlic then received a second yellow card on 54 minutes and was sent off, leaving the hosts to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Václav Cerny was booked in the 57th minute. He was then withdrawn at the 69th minute, replaced by Milot Rashica, who made an immediate impression: on 70 minutes, Rashica scored, assisted by Junior Olaitan, to give Beşiktaş the lead at 1-0. Rasmus Kristensen was booked on 75 minutes, and from the resulting situation Orkun Kökcü converted a penalty on 76 minutes to make it 2-0.
Oh Hyeon-Gyu was booked on 81 minutes, and Yasin Özcan, who came on as a substitute, was booked on 86 minutes. Both coaches made further changes in the closing stages. Beşiktaş held on to win 2-0, keeping a clean sheet in this 2nd Qualifying Round tie.
The Numbers
The statistics paint a picture of a closely fought contest that was ultimately decided by circumstance rather than dominance. In terms of cards, Midtjylland’s evening was particularly damaging: three yellow cards and one red card, compared to Beşiktaş’s three yellows and no red.
Conclusion
Ultimately, this was a game that hinged on M. Erlic’s double booking, with his second yellow card coming at the 54-minute mark. Up until that point, FC Midtjylland had matched Beşiktaş in most areas and were very much in the contest. Once reduced to ten men, however, the Turkish club demonstrated the composure and quality to punish their hosts efficiently, with Rashica and Kökcü both finding the net within six minutes of each other in the second half. It was a professional and disciplined display from Beşiktaş, who will take considerable confidence from this Europa League result.
