ISTANBUL (Interstat) — In a tightly contested season opener that defied one set of projections while fulfilling another, Sariyer edged Sivasspor 1-0 on Saturday in 1. Lig play at Yusuf Ziya Öniş Stadyumu.

The match, played on Feb. 7, 2026, was decided by a second-half goal from midfielder Moustafa Camara, delivering an immediate boost to the home side’s promotion aspirations and handing the visiting top-flight side a disappointing start to their campaign in Turkey’s second division.

The game unfolded as a tactical battle, with clear chances at a premium for much of the afternoon. Sivasspor, recently relegated and favored by some statistical models to secure a road point, struggled to break down a disciplined Sariyer defense. The home side, meanwhile, patiently built their attacks, waiting for a decisive moment.

That moment arrived just after the hour mark. In the 61st minute, Sariyer’s breakthrough came from a well-constructed move. Midfielder Ömer Bayram provided the incisive pass, finding Camara in a dangerous position. The midfielder made no mistake with his finish, slotting the ball home to send the home supporters into celebration and record what proved to be the game-winning goal.

The assist was Bayram’s key contribution in a match that grew increasingly fractious as time wore on. The physical nature of the contest was reflected in the officiating, with five yellow cards shown throughout the match. Sariyer substitute Charilos Charisis was booked in the 34th minute, followed by fellow substitute Rei Manaj in the 52nd. Just three minutes later, Sariyer midfielder Hasan Emre Yeşilyurt received a yellow card.

Yeşilyurt’s afternoon would worsen significantly. In the 80th minute, he was shown a red card, forcing Sariyer to see out the final ten minutes plus stoppage time with only ten men. Despite being a man down, the home side’s defense held firm. Bayram joined the book in the 89th minute as Sariyer managed the game expertly to preserve their slender lead.

The final whistle confirmed a perfect start to the 1. Lig season for Sariyer, who begin with a record of one win and no losses. For Sivasspor, the defeat marks a stumbling start in their quest for an immediate return to the Süper Lig, as they open with a record of no wins and one loss. The result also updates each club’s overall record across all competitions this season to identical marks.

The outcome aligned with one pre-game projection from Interstat’s ELO system, which gave Sariyer an 80.10 percent probability to win. However, it contradicted the same organization’s game simulator, which had predicted a 1-1 draw. In the end, Camara’s clinical finish made the difference, providing the only margin necessary in a match defined by a single goal and a resolute defensive stand.