Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi marked a personal milestone on Thursday night, scoring his first European goal for Besiktas as the Turkish side drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the UEFA Europa League in Istanbul.

Both clubs arrived at the Tüpraş Stadium carrying the weight of heavy domestic defeats — Besiktas had lost 2-0 to Trabzonspor while Palace had suffered a humiliating 5-0 thrashing at Brighton — and the match reflected that desperation from the first whistle.

Ndidi breaks the deadlock

Ndidi gave Besiktas the lead deep in first-half stoppage time, racing onto a long ball from Salih Ozcan before firing past Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez. The goal, struck in the second minute of added time, was Besiktas' first shot on target of the entire match.

Palace fought back after the break. Yeremy Pino levelled the score on 51 minutes, converting Anan Khalaili's low cross to make it 1-1. Four minutes later, Jean-Philip Mateta put the visitors ahead — pouncing to smash home his first goal since the Conference League final last season.

Olaitan rescues a point for Besiktas

Besiktas' response came through Benin Republic forward Junior Olaitan, who pulled the hosts level again on 73 minutes to make it 2-2. The Turkish club's evening then took a dramatic turn when Umit Akdag was sent off four minutes later for a reckless challenge on Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was forced off through injury.

Besiktas, now eighth in the 36-team Europa League standings with seven points, travel to Scotland next to face Celtic. Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim in Matchday 4.

Other Europa League results

Elsewhere, AC Milan — without the injured Samuel Chukwueze — fell to a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth. Bayer Leverkusen beat OFI Crete 2-0, with Nathan Tella introduced as a substitute and Victor Boniface absent from the squad entirely. Tochukwu Nnadi's Marseille suffered a 1-0 loss away at Sturm Graz, and Juventus came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Rennes.