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Reuters
Reuters
Business

Galatasaray win 22nd Turkish title after beating closest rival

Soccer Football - Super Lig - Galatasaray v Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. - Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - May 19, 2019 Galatasaray's Semih Kaya celebrates winning the Super Lig REUTERS/Murad Sezer

ANKARA (Reuters) - Defending Turkish champions Galatasaray won the title for the second season in a row on Sunday after defeating second placed Basaksehir 2-1 at home, with one game to play before the season ends.

Basaksehir made a better start to the game and scored in the 20th minute, but that only served to fire up Galatasaray fans and players.

Galatasaray scored twice in the second half, with Sofiane Feghouli and Henry Onyekuru's goals helping the club secure its 22nd Super Lig title.

Soccer Football - Super Lig - Galatasaray v Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. - Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - May 19, 2019 Galatasaray celebrate winning the Super Lig REUTERS/Murad Sezer

The two Istanbul sides were locked on 66 points with two matches to play coming into Sunday's showdown.

But as the head-to-head record, rather than goal difference, is the deciding factor in Turkey between teams on equal points, the winner of the derby would win the title.

The two sides had drawn 1-1 in the first half of the season, so Sunday's win meant Galatasaray clinched the title even if they lost the last match of the season next week.

Soccer Football - Super Lig - Galatasaray v Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. - Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey - May 19, 2019 Galatasaray celebrate winning the Super Lig REUTERS/Murad Sezer

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Mark Potter)

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