Beşiktaş beats Midtjylland 1‑0 in Europa League first leg

Beşiktaş secured a 1‑0 victory over Danish side Midtjylland in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League second‑qualifying round at Istanbul’s Tüpraş Stadium. Captain Orkun Kökçü scored the only goal in the 26th minute after a pass from Vaclav Cerny. Midtjylland were reduced to ten men after Friday Etim received a direct red card in the 15th minute. The match marked the competitive debut of new manager Vincenzo Italiano, who fielded three recent signings – goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, midfielder Salih Özcan and winger İlhan Fakılı – in the starting eleven. Post‑match, Italiano said the team could have scored more, while Midtjylland coach Mike Tullberg praised the atmosphere created by Beşiktaş supporters. A second‑leg rematch is scheduled for 30 July in Denmark; if Beşiktaş advances it will face the winner of Tromsø–Hradec Kralove in the next round. Data analysts estimated Beşiktaş’s chance to progress at 47 percent.