The Super Eagles captain played until the 90th minute in Sinsheim as BeÅŸiktaÅŸ survived a late Hoffenheim scare to make it two wins from two.
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Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi started for Besiktas as the Turkish side beat Hoffenheim 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday night. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, the win came at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim, on Matchday 2 of the league phase.
Ndidi played until the 90th minute, when he was replaced by 23 year old defender Ümit Akdağ, who made his Besiktas debut. It was Besiktas’s second win from two games in the competition.
Hoffenheim, by contrast, remain without a point after losing their opener 2-0 to OFI Crete. The defeat was their fourth in a row in all competitions.
How The Goals Came
The game was goalless at half-time, though Hoffenheim hit the post through Koki Machida’s header in the third minute. Besiktas broke through in the 60th minute when Michael Murillo fired home from close range.
The move began from a corner, with Trossard bringing the ball down and finding Ndidi. His backheel helped the ball on to Murillo, who finished from inside the six-yard box.
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Oh Takes Over
Hoffenheim equalised in the 68th minute when Fisnik Asllani cut inside and fired a low shot past Besiktas keeper Nubel. The lead didn’t last long.
Oh Hyeon-gyu put Besiktas back in front in the 72nd minute after a counter attack, finishing calmly past Baumann. He added a second in the 79th minute, converting Ilhan Fakili’s pass at the far post.
Machida pulled one back with a header from a Coufal corner in the 88th minute, but Besiktas held on.
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What It Means
The result leaves Besiktas fourth in the standings with six points, behind leaders Juventus on goals scored.
Ndidi has been the team’s defensive anchor since joining from Leicester City in August 2025. Besiktas finished fourth in the Super Lig last season, which earned them this European place.
Is Ndidi’s influence underrated? His work in the build-up to the opener suggests he’s doing more than breaking up play.
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For Hoffenheim, alarm bells are ringing. For Besiktas and Ndidi, two wins from two is the ideal start.
📌 Did You Know?
- Oh Hyeon-gyu is a South Korean forward.
- Hoffenheim’s Ozan Kabak, who started against his own countrymen, is a Turkey international.
- Ndidi won the Premier League with Leicester City and made 252 league appearances for the club.
- Besiktas named Ndidi vice-captain behind Orkun Kökçü last season.
- Belgian referee Lawrence Visser took charge of the game.
