Kasimpasa 1 – 0 Istanbulspor
International Club Friendly – July 12, 2026

Kasimpasa edged out Istanbulspor 1–0 in a tightly contested pre‑season friendly on Sunday evening. The match, played behind closed doors as part of both sides' summer preparations, offered a first look at how the two Turkish Süper Lig campaigners are shaping up ahead of the new season.

Match Overview

The only goal of the game arrived midway through the first half when Kasimpasa’s new attacking signing prodded home from a scrambled corner. Istanbulspor responded well after the break, creating two clear chances through quick counter‑attacks, but the home side’s defence held firm. The result keeps Kasimpasa’s pre‑season record perfect after two friendlies, while Istanbulspor will take encouragement from a disciplined second‑half display despite the narrow loss.

Key Moments

• 23rd minute: Kasimpasa break the deadlock. A short corner routine finds the near post, and a deflection falls kindly for the forward to tap in from six yards.
• 58th minute: Istanbulspor striker forces a sharp low save from the Kasimpasa keeper after a one‑two with the midfielder.
• 74th minute: A hopeful long‑range effort from Istanbulspor curls just over the crossbar.
• 89th minute: Kasimpasa nearly double their lead on the break, but the shot is blocked by a recovering defender.

Tactical Observations

Kasimpasa lined up in a fluid 4‑2‑3‑1, pressing high in the opening quarter and looking to exploit width. Istanbulspor, organised in a compact 4‑4‑2, resisted well after the early phase and grew into the contest, particularly in central midfield. The match served as a useful test of fitness and tactical discipline for both sides, with several substitutions made throughout to rotate the squad.

What This Means

Pre‑season friendlies rarely tell the full story, but Kasimpasa will be pleased with a clean sheet and a winning habit. Istanbulspor, meanwhile, can build on their second‑half improvement as they continue preparations. Both teams are expected to finalise their squads before the start of the Süper Lig campaign later this month.