Vlahovic Nets Hat Trick for Besiktas as Salah's Trabzonspor Stumble in Turkey

Turkish football produced a tale of two strikers on matchday three of the Super Lig. Dusan Vlahovic opened his scoring account for Besiktas with a hat trick in the crushing 6-2 victory over Corum, while Mohamed Salah got on the scoresheet again for Trabzonspor but could not stop his side falling to a 2-1 defeat at Amed Sportif. The Serbian and the Egyptian are already shaping the narrative of a season still in its early stages.

• Vlahovic scored three times as Besiktas thrashed Corum 6-2 in the third round of the Turkish Super Lig.
• The Serbian striker opened his league account with a penalty and two second-half goals before being substituted in the 71st minute.
• Salah put Trabzonspor ahead against Amed Sportif, but his team conceded a comeback and lost 2-1.
• Besiktas sit third with 6 points, one behind leaders Galatasaray and Genclerbirligi; Trabzonspor are 11th with 4.
• The defeat came four days after a 4-0 Europa League loss against Ferencvaros.

Vlahovic's Hat Trick Lifts Besiktas Into Title Contention

Besiktas steamrollered Corum in what was Vlahovic's fourth official appearance for the Istanbul club. The striker arrived on a free transfer after his spell at Juventus came to an end and had to wait until this match to open his account in style. He had already featured in two Europa League games with his new side, but goals had proved elusive.

Against Corum, everything clicked. The Serbian international converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to make it 2-0 and, after the break, showed his poacher's instinct to score the third and fourth goals in the 59th and 66th minutes. He was withdrawn in the 71st with the game wrapped up and the home crowd fully won over by their new forward.

The three points move Besiktas up to third place on 6 points, just one behind leaders Galatasaray and Genclerbirligi. Vlahovic's arrival adds serious firepower to a side determined to challenge for the title all the way.

Salah Scores Again but Trabzonspor Fall to Newly Promoted Amed Sportif

At the other end of the table, Mohamed Salah endured a bittersweet afternoon. The Egyptian forward, who landed in Turkey after failing to renew his contract at Liverpool, opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a composed finish after racing clear on a counter-attack. It was his third goal in the Turkish top flight, further evidence of his quick adjustment to a new environment.

His team, however, could not hold on to the lead. Amed Sportif, another newly promoted side like Corum, completed the comeback with one goal at the end of the first half and another at the close of the second. Trabzonspor goalkeeper André Onana was unable to keep out the hosts' response.

The setback leaves Trabzonspor in 11th place with 4 points and underlines an uneven start for a club with ambitions of challenging near the top. It comes just four days after a painful night in European competition.

European Collapse and Fatih Tekke's Future at Trabzonspor

The recent context around Trabzonspor explains the frustration accompanying this league defeat. Four days earlier, the team suffered a heavy 4-0 loss against Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League, a result that dropped them into the Conference League group stage.

That humiliation prompted head coach Fatih Tekke to offer his resignation to the board. The club rejected it, and the manager remained in charge for the match against Amed Sportif. The decision to stick with continuity did not produce an immediate response on the pitch.

What Besiktas and Trabzonspor Have at Stake in the Coming Weeks

Besiktas head into a run of fixtures with serious momentum behind them. After Vlahovic's hat trick, the Istanbul side face the next few matchdays under pressure to keep pace with Galatasaray and Genclerbirligi, the two clubs sitting a single point above them.

Trabzonspor, for their part, must restore defensive solidity and build on Salah's scoring form. The Egyptian is delivering on his side of the bargain, but collective slip-ups are holding back a club accustomed to fighting for silverware in Turkey. The next round will be a key test of the team's reaction under Tekke.

How Vlahovic and Salah Are Shaping Up Internationally

The performances of both forwards in Turkey also carry weight on the international stage. Vlahovic arrives full of confidence after his three-goal haul, a strong argument to remain Serbia's attacking reference. Salah, meanwhile, maintains his scoring instinct for Egypt and proves that, despite the change of league, his ability to decide games remains untouched.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vlahovic and Salah in the Super Lig