Nottingham Forest survived a scare from Fenerbahce to book their Europa League last-16 place, winning 4-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat at the City ground in Thursday’s second leg.
Vitor Pereira had the luxury of rotation for the knockout play-off tie, having already won 3-0 in Istanbul last week, but the performances could not have been more vast.
Forest were the architects of their own difficulties too, and made a seemingly simple task monumentally harder.
They were first punished in the 22nd minute when Fenerbahce’s ruthless break saw Kerem Akturkoglu sweep home to hand the visitors a lifeline.
It gave Fenerbahce real confidence, with Akturkoglu and Sidiki Cherif squandering glorious chances to level up the tie in the first half.
After 45 minutes with no shots on target, high turnovers and losing duels, Pereira made four half-time changes, bringing on Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare.
But seconds into the second half, another clumsy moment handed Fenerbahce a penalty. Jair Cunha stuck a foot out to catch Akturkoglu, and after a VAR check, the on-field decision stood.
Fenerbahce’s Kerem Akturkoglu scores his opener against Nottingham Forest
It was the forward who stepped up and easily slotted home his second of the evening to give the Turkish side real hope of levelling up on aggregate.
But Forest soon settled into their rhythm as the substitutes worked their magic, even if the approach of careful possession – as they have done so well in their two games under Pereira so far – did little to calm the nerves of the home fans.
Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi scored at the City Ground on Thursday
And as the unhappy whistles began, Forest answered. It was two substitutes who combined as Aina’s swinging cross found Hudson-Odoi over on the left of the area. He then sped past his defender before hammering home into the far corner.
The relief was palpable around the City Ground, and it took the remaining puff out of injury-hit Fenerbahce. Forest are now in the draw for Friday’s last-16 draw, and will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland.
When are fixtures scheduled for?
Round of 16 draw: 27 February, 12pm
Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
Final: 20 May 2026 (Istanbul)
