Cracovia Krakow vs Başakşehir — Match Details | Betmana

Full Time

Başakşehir

Cracovia Krakow beat Başakşehir 3-1 in a pre-season friendly in Andorf, Austria. Kahveh Zahiroleslam scored twice in three first-half minutes.

Match Videos

SPARING: Cracovia - Başakşehir | TRANSMISJA

Cracovia Krakow vs Başakşehir Futbol Kulübü | 6 July 2026 | Club Friendly Live Score & Watchalong

Match Analysis

AI Summary

How It Unfolded

Cracovia started brightly, pressing high and building patiently from the back despite Başakşehir's attempts to disrupt their rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Ajdin Hasić intercepted the ball in midfield and played a through ball to Zahiroleslam. The American forward capitalised on hesitation between two Başakşehir defenders, saw his first shot saved, but followed up to slot the rebound home from close range.

Three minutes later, Cracovia doubled their lead. Mateusz Klich — the former Leeds United midfielder — hit a 40-metre diagonal pass from his own half to Dominik Piła, who raced into the box and unselfishly squared for Zahiroleslam to slide in at the far post despite the attention of a covering defender.

Başakşehir pulled one back in the 37th minute. A short clearance from Cracovia's defence was punished by a swift move down the right flank, finished by Bertuğ Yıldırım with a powerful shot from close range that gave goalkeeper Sebastian Madejski no chance. The visitors almost equalised before the break when a solo run ended with a 12-metre shot that Madejski pushed around the post.

Cracovia sealed the result in the 75th minute. Substitute Kameri won the ball near the halfway line, drove down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross to Mateusz Tabisz, who controlled, rounded the goalkeeper and finished from five metres.

The Turning Point

Zahiroleslam's quickfire double between the 22nd and 25th minutes — the first a poacher's rebound, the second a well-timed tap-in after Piła's unselfish square pass — gave Cracovia a two-goal cushion that forced Başakşehir to chase the game. The Turkish side dominated possession for spells after Yıldırım's reply, but Cracovia's defensive discipline held firm, helped by a structural shift at half-time that introduced goalkeeper Henrich Ravas and Tabisz.

Key Performers

Kahveh Zahiroleslam — The American striker (24), who joined Cracovia from Yale University in July 2025, scored twice in a three-minute burst, displaying both predatory instincts and intelligent movement. His second goal, a sliding finish from Piła's cross, showcased his willingness to get into the dangerous areas. Player of the match.
Mateusz Klich — The experienced Polish international dictated the tempo from midfield and delivered the outstanding pass of the match: a 40-metre switch that unlocked the Başakşehir defence for the second goal.
Mateusz Tabisz — Introduced at half-time, the substitute sealed the win with a composed finish in the 75th minute, showing neat footwork to beat the goalkeeper.
Sebastian Madejski — Made several key saves in the first half, including a sharp stop to deny a certain equaliser just before the interval.

By the Numbers — Interpreted

Cracovia used 21 players across the 90 minutes, rotating heavily after the hour mark. Grzelak made his first changes as early as the 32nd minute, substituting Klich and Hasić for young reserves Skoczylas and Dej. Six more changes followed on the hour, including the withdrawal of Zahiroleslam and centre-back Kamil Glik. The scoreline flattered Cracovia's efficiency more than their overall dominance: Başakşehir controlled long spells of possession especially in the second half, but the Turkish side's best chance — a 7-metre miss by their striker after a Traore error in the 67th minute — underlined their lack of clinical edge in front of goal.

What It Means

This was Grzelak's first win in seven matches since taking charge of Cracovia (five Ekstraklasa draws, one friendly defeat). The result against the fifth-placed side from last season's Turkish Süper Lig provides a credible confidence boost ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Cracovia's next pre-season fixture is against Czech side FK Pardubice on 9 July, before a showpiece 120th-anniversary friendly against Sevilla FC on 19 July. The new Ekstraklasa season begins on 25 July with an away trip to champions Lech Poznań.

Verdict

A deserved and well-constructed friendly win. Cracovia's high-pressing approach and quick transitions — particularly the Klich-to-Piła-to-Zahiroleslam combination — produced the game's decisive moments. The defensive solidity after the break, despite heavy rotation, will be the most encouraging takeaway for Grzelak as the season opener approaches.