Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray: 6 of the Most Memorable Clashes Between the Turkish Titans

One of those fixtures most football supporters will have on their bucket lists, the Intercontinental Derby has produced some exhilarating encounters in the past.

Precious few rivalries boast as much passion and intensity as those shared between both sets of supporters, and more often than not, those emotions transfer onto the pitch to produce some classic matches.

Plenty could make the list, but here are six of the very best to give you a taste of the history and excitement this particular derby has coughed up.

1996 - Turkish Cup Final

Very few backed Galatasaray to secure a two-legged cup final victory over their rivals given the current dominance of Fenerbahce at the time, but a Dean Saunders penalty had then-manager Graeme Souness' side taking a first leg advantage.

Fenebahce hit back in the second leg at their Sukru Saracoglu Stadium with an aggregate equaliser, but Saunders once again struck, this time deep into extra time, to snatch victory for Gala, although, truth be told, the result is the least interesting part.

Souness would act on instinct, infuriating millions of Fenerbahce supporters while equally being adored by his new fans. Strolling into the centre circle, the Scot planted a Galatasray flag into the turf of his side's most hated enemies, earning himself a spot in Turkish football folkore.

2001 - Fenerbahce 4-4 Galatasaray

A Turkish Cup clash between the two in 2001 would go down in history as the highest scoring match between the two, only equalled by another 4-4 result in 1983. An utterly barmy game would see the hosts take a 3-1 lead at half time, having come from behind after Hasan Sas opened the scoring after just six minutes.

Sas breathed life into Gala after the break the reduce the deficit but Haim Revivo seemingly put the game beyond the visitors' reach after 66 minutes.

With five minutes left on the clock, Mario Jardel caused panic among all the home supporters by firing in the visitors' third to give his side hope as the clock ticked down. With time slipping away, Umit Davala stepped up in the third minute of stoppage time to cap off one of the craziest matches the pair have ever played part in.

2002 - Fenerbahce 6-0 Galatasaray

Results like this don't come around all too often in this particular fixture, so when Galatasaray traveled over to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and left with their tails firmly in between their legs, it was a moment to cherish for the hosts.

Tuncay, Ariel Ortega, a Serhat double, Ceyhun Eris and Umit Ozat did the damage on the day, which remains the joint-highest winning margin in any of the 391 matches played between the two clubs.

What made the result even more remarkable was the contrasting seasons each side was having. Fenerbahce would finish a full 26 points behind Gala, who themselves would fail to win the Super Lig and finish in second place.

2014 - Galatasaray 2-1 Fenerbahce

Plenty of top players have featured for either of these two clubs, but one who truly stands out among the rest is Wesley Sneijder. The Dutchman moved to Galatasaray in 2013, and his immense quality had an immediate impact on the club's fortunes.

Arguably one of his most memorable games for the side came in 2014, where two goals in the final two minutes of their Super Lig clash with Fenerbahce had him etched into the history books forever.

His first goal was an unstoppable strike from distance that flew into the top corner at breakneck speed, while his second was equally magnificent as he opted for the other corner of the net with a wonderful curling strike. A late, late Alper Potuk consolation goal wasn't enough to spoil the party.

2017 - Galatasaray 0-1 Fenerbahce

Chances galore for each team? Hostile atmopshere? Two teams boasting plenty of quality?

This match had all those things, but above all, it had the magnificent drama you get when the away side nets a 90th minute winner. It was a match that ebbed and flowed and could easily have gone either way, but with the final whistle edging closer, it looked as if a goalless stalemate would be the result.

That was before Sener Ozbayrakli produced some wonderful play down the right flank, before whipping in a teasing cross for Josef de Souza. The Brazilian still had plenty to do, but his perfectly angled header bounced beyond Fernando Muslera in net, sparking scenes of bedlam among the visiting players and securing a memorable away victory.

2020 - Fenerbahce 1-3 Galatasaray

Considering that Galatasaray have won three league titles since Fenerbahce last secured their own in 2014, you'd think that at some point recently Gala would have won away at the home of their rivals. Well, no. What about this decade then? Well, no either. What about this century then? Unbelievably, no again.

You had to go back to 1999 for the last time Galatasaray won at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, so when they did it in February of this year, you can sure bet it was one hell of a spectacle.

No less than 12 bookings were issued alongside three red cards - Fenerbahce saw coach Ersun Yanal sent to the stands - but most importantly for the visitors, they came from behind to secure a 3-1 win courtesy of Ryan Donk's equaliser, Radamel Falcao's 80th minute penalty, and a stoppage time
Henry Onyekuru goal. A totally barmy affair befitting of a such a rivalry.

2012 - Fenerbahce 0-0 Galatasaray

On first glance, this particular fixture doesn't scream 'watch me' all that much. A 0-0 draw really isn't all that much to shout about.

However, the scoreline really doesn't tell even half the story.

This was the first (and last) time a playoff system was used in the Turkish top flight. After the regular season, two playoff groups were determined to decide European berths, with Fenerbahce and Galatasaray taking part in a mini-league with Besiktas and Trabzonspor. In typical Intercontinental Derby fashion, the drama went down to the wire - a final clash between the two giants.

A win for either side would secure the title, but a draw would grant Galatasaray the honour, with the added incentive of lifting the trophy in their rival's backyard. The game itself was utter carnage, with two red cards, a disallowed goal, countless goal line clearances and on-pitch fighting taking place throughout.

In the end, the match finished goalless, prompting wild scenes of celebration from Galatasaray. This didn't sit too well with the hosts, and the home fans ran onto the pitch to fight with the Gala players. Riot police were called in, and then Fenerbahce turned off the lights in the stadium to avoid the visitors celebrating their title win.

It's hard to fathom just how mad the occasion was, which resulted in the visitors refusing to leave the stadium without being able to lift their Super Lig crown. Maddest 0-0 ever? Just probably. Needless to say, they didn't do the playoffs again.