RSC Anderlecht faced Fenerbahçe on Thursday night in the return leg of their Europa League playoff, hoping to overcome a devastating 3-0 deficit from the first leg. The match ended 2-2, marking the end of Anderlecht's European campaign, yet the team exited the tournament with their heads held high, having put forth a valiant effort.
The night got off to a rocky start for the home side when Lucas Hey's catastrophic back pass allowed Edin Džeko to find Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored the opening goal just four minutes in. It was not the ideal beginning for Anderlecht, who were already nursing their wounds from the heavy defeat they faced away at Fenerbahçe. The early goal silenced the Lotto Park crowd and set the tone for the proceedings.
Shortly after the opening goal, the match was interrupted for about 15 minutes due to crowd disturbances, which saw tension spill over from the stands as frustrated fans clashed. After the brief hiatus, Anderlecht returned with renewed vigor. Luis Vázquez, capitalizing on Fenerbahçe’s defensive blunder, equalized at the 19-minute mark. Vázquez's opportunistic finish brought the crowd back to life, and excitement surged through the stadium as the home side pressed for their second goal.
Anderlecht continued applying pressure throughout the first half, with chances crafted by Thorgan Hazard and César Huerta. Despite dominating possession, the Belgian side couldn’t find the net again, turning the scoreline at halftime to 1-1, but still facing the astronomical task of overturning their deficit.
The second half saw Anderlecht come out firing. Five minutes after the restart, the crowd erupted when Vázquez struck again, putting the hosts up 2-1 and closing the aggregate score to just one goal. This goal brought hope to the Anderlecht supporters, who imagined the possibility of completing the comeback.
Anderlecht's domination did not last long, as Fenerbahçe quickly responded to regain their composure. Just eight minutes later, Yusuf Akçiçek struck, leveling the match at 2-2, driven by the fear of elimination. The goal marked the Turks' resurgence and quelled any thoughts of Anderlecht pulling off the miraculous comeback.
Despite the setback, Anderlecht continued to push forward, and the introduction of veteran Jan Vertonghen offered the team some defensive stability and experience. Fans were hopeful for late drama, but opportunities became scarce as both teams began to settle for the draw. The final whistle blew, ending the match and sealing Anderlecht's exit from the Europa League.
Following the match, players expressed their mixed emotions; pride for their strong performance contrasted with the disappointment of elimination. Vázquez's efforts were particularly noteworthy, as the Argentinian forward scored both of Anderlecht's goals. Coach David Hubert echoed these sentiments, praising the team’s resilience but lamenting the missed opportunity of advancing to the next round.
With the European adventure now concluded, Anderlecht must shift their focus fully to domestic competitions, as they prepare for upcoming league matches and the Belgian Cup final scheduled for early May. While their exit from Europe is undoubtedly disappointing, the performance against Fenerbahçe may serve as motivation as they strive to secure domestic success.
The match encapsulated the rollercoaster of emotions experienced by Anderlecht this season – from lapses of judgment to moments of greatness, leaving fans to ponder what might have been had the initial leg ended differently.