Paul Onuachu rescues point for Trabzonspor in Antalya stalemate

Paul Onuachu’s goal helped Trabzonspor hold Antalyaspor to a 1-1 draw at the Antalya Stadium in the Turkish Süper Lig on Friday.

GOL | Antalyaspor 1-1 Trabzonspor

⚽️ 52′ Onuachu (P) pic.twitter.com/WHnyHEJRXA

— Anlık Goller (@anlikgol35) January 30, 2026

​In a match defined by missed opportunities, Onuachu’s presence ensured the visitors didn’t leave empty-handed, though his night was nearly marred by a missed chance from the penalty spot earlier in the contest.

​Antalyaspor broke the deadlock through Sander van de Streek in the first half, as he capitalized on a defensive lapse to take a 1-0 lead. The visitors, however, leveled the scoreline in the second half after the referee pointed to the spot in the 53rd minute.

​Drama continued in the 81st minute when the Nigerian international missed a crucial opportunity from the spot to send his side ahead.

 

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Despite the miss, the draw solidifies the Trabzon-based club’s position in the top three of the Turkish Süper Lig standings. Onuachu now has 13 goals this season, moving him level with league leading scorer Eldor Shomurodov of İstanbul Başakşehir.

Antalyaspor strike first after defensive lapse

The home side began the contest with confidence, pressing high and forcing Trabzonspor into early errors. Their positive approach was rewarded in the first half when Dutch midfielder Sander van de Streek capitalised on a moment of defensive hesitation to open the scoring.

A loose clearance inside the penalty area fell kindly to Van de Streek, who kept his composure to slot the ball past the goalkeeper and give Antalyaspor a deserved 1–0 lead. The goal energised the home crowd and put Trabzonspor under pressure as they struggled to find rhythm in their build-up play.

Trabzonspor respond after the break

The visitors emerged with renewed intent after halftime, increasing their tempo and committing more bodies forward. Their persistence paid off in the 53rd minute, when the referee pointed to the penalty spot following a foul inside the box.

Up stepped Paul Onuachu, who calmly dispatched the spot kick to bring Trabzonspor level at 1–1. The goal was a reminder of the striker’s importance to his team, as his presence and composure in crucial moments continue to deliver results.

Missed chance adds late drama

Despite the equaliser, the drama was far from over. Trabzonspor continued to push for a winning goal, sensing vulnerability in the Antalyaspor defence. The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute, when the referee once again awarded a penalty to the visitors.

On this occasion, however, Onuachu was unable to repeat his earlier success. The Nigerian international’s effort from the spot was off target, sparking relief among the home supporters and frustration on the Trabzonspor bench. The miss denied the visitors a golden opportunity to claim all three points and complete the turnaround.

A mixed night for Onuachu

While the missed penalty will linger in Onuachu’s mind, his overall contribution remains significant. The towering forward was a constant focal point in attack, occupying defenders, winning aerial duels, and creating space for his teammates.

His goal means he has now scored 13 league goals this season, drawing level with Eldor Shomurodov of İstanbul Başakşehir at the top of the Süper Lig scoring charts. The milestone underlines his consistency and value in Trabzonspor’s push near the summit of the table.

Tactical battle and missed opportunities

The match was defined by fine margins, with both sides guilty of squandering chances that could have altered the outcome. Antalyaspor defended resolutely after conceding, while Trabzonspor lacked the final touch to turn dominance into victory.

Set pieces played a major role in the game’s narrative, with penalties accounting for Trabzonspor’s equaliser and their missed chance to take the lead. Antalyaspor, meanwhile, relied on quick transitions and defensive discipline to protect their point.

League implications

Despite the frustration of dropping points, the draw solidifies Trabzonspor’s position in the top three of the Turkish Süper Lig standings. In a tightly contested title race, every point carries significance, and avoiding defeat away from home may prove valuable as the season progresses.

Antalyaspor, on the other hand, will take encouragement from holding one of the league’s strongest sides and demonstrating resilience after conceding in the second half.

Looking ahead

Trabzonspor will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, aiming to convert strong performances into wins as they continue to challenge at the top end of the table. For Onuachu, the focus will be on maintaining his scoring form and putting the missed penalty behind him.

With the Nigerian striker firmly in the Golden Boot race and Trabzonspor well placed among the league’s elite, both player and club remain in a strong position as the Süper Lig season enters a crucial phase.