On a chilly February night at Chobani Stadium, Fenerbahçe fans packed the stands with hope and expectation, only to be left stunned as their team suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 play-off. The English visitors, led by newly appointed manager Vítor Pereira, delivered a clinical performance that leaves the Turkish giants with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Fenerbahçe, who had not conceded three goals at home all season, were left reeling as Nottingham Forest struck early and never looked back. The match, broadcast live on TRT 1 to eager viewers across Turkey, began with promise for the home side. In the 19th minute, Asensio whipped in a dangerous corner that found Mert Müldür, whose header sailed just over the bar—a missed opportunity that would soon loom large.
Just two minutes later, disaster struck. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo pounced on a loose ball in midfield, exchanged passes with Anderson, and surged forward. Slipping past Oosterwolde, Murillo unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner past Ederson, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The goal sent a shockwave through the Fenerbahçe faithful, but there was still plenty of time to respond.
The hosts tried to regroup, but Nottingham Forest’s pressing and organization made life difficult. At the 28th minute, Odoi found Hutchinson, who crossed for Gibbs-White, but Ederson was alert and denied the header with a fine save. Fenerbahçe’s problems deepened when defender Milan Skriniar, a key figure at the back, was forced off with an injury in the 26th minute, replaced by Çağlar Söyüncü.
Forest continued to threaten. In the 38th minute, Anderson’s free kick deflected off Williams and landed at Igor Jesus’s feet, but the Brazilian striker’s effort drifted wide. Fenerbahçe’s luck, it seemed, was running thin. Moments before halftime, Nottingham Forest doubled their advantage. A corner from Anderson was flicked on by Gibbs-White at the near post, and Igor Jesus was on hand to poke the ball home from close range, making it 2-0. The home crowd fell silent as the English side celebrated.
Fenerbahçe trudged off at halftime two goals down, knowing a response was desperately needed. Coach Domenico Tedesco made changes, bringing on Levent Mercan and Nene at the break for Mert Müldür and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Yet, any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed. Just five minutes into the second half, Nottingham Forest struck again. A quick move saw Igor Jesus turn provider, setting up Morgan Gibbs-White, who finished with aplomb to put the visitors three goals to the good.
It was a devastating blow for Fenerbahçe, who had entered the night with a strong European pedigree. This match marked their 299th appearance in European competition, with an almost even record of 117 wins, 116 losses, and 65 draws before kickoff. But on this night, history offered little comfort.
As the match wore on, tempers flared and cards were shown. Skriniar had already been booked before his injury, and Oosterwolde’s yellow card at the 69th minute means he will miss the crucial second leg in England. Even coach Tedesco found himself in the referee’s book, picking up a yellow in the 41st minute. Fred and Çağlar Söyüncü also received cautions in the closing stages as frustration mounted.
Fenerbahçe’s attacking forays were largely contained by a disciplined Forest defense. Substitutions saw İsmail Yüksek replace Talisca, and Fred come on for Kante, but the home side struggled to carve out clear chances. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, managed their lead expertly, making timely changes to keep legs fresh—Dominguez, McAtee, Yates, Ndoye, and Lucca all featured in the second half.
The result was a bitter pill for Fenerbahçe to swallow. Not only was it their first defeat in six official matches, but it was also the first time this season they had conceded three goals at Kadıköy. The loss also extended their challenging record against English opposition: in 22 meetings, Fenerbahçe have now suffered 13 defeats, with just five wins and four draws to show for their efforts.
Injuries and suspensions compounded the disappointment. Edson Alvarez was already absent due to ankle surgery, and although Archie Brown had returned to training, he was not risked for this encounter. The yellow card picked up by Oosterwolde means he’ll be sidelined for the return fixture, while Nelson Semedo and Oğuz Aydın remain on the brink of suspension, a headache for coach Tedesco as he plots an improbable comeback.
Despite the deficit, Fenerbahçe’s European journey is not yet over. The second leg, scheduled for February 26, 2026, in England, offers a slim but not impossible path to redemption. The Turkish side will need to win by at least three goals to force extra time, a feat they haven’t managed against English opposition in recent memory. Their last three-goal defeat came just months ago, a 6-1 loss to Nordsjaelland, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.
Looking ahead, Fenerbahçe’s fixture list doesn’t get any easier. They’ll host Kasımpaşa in the Süper Lig before traveling to England for the decisive second leg. Nottingham Forest, buoyed by this commanding win, will welcome Liverpool in their next domestic outing before turning their attention back to European matters.
For Nottingham Forest, the victory was a statement. Under Vítor Pereira’s guidance, the English side showed tactical discipline, clinical finishing, and a hunger that bodes well for their ambitions in Europe. The goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Gibbs-White showcased the squad’s depth and quality, while the defense—anchored by Milenkovic and Murillo—stood firm against all that Fenerbahçe could muster.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreline told the story: Fenerbahçe 0, Nottingham Forest 3. The home fans, stunned into silence, know their team faces an uphill battle. But if there’s one thing European nights have taught us, it’s to never count out a comeback. The stage is set for a dramatic second leg, with everything still to play for.