Fenerbahçe Vs Nottm Forest: Forest win 3-0 in Europa League first leg
fenerbahçe vs nottm forest ended 3-0 in favour of Nottingham Forest in the Europa League knockout play-off first leg, a result that hands Forest a decisive advantage heading into the second leg. Murillo opened the scoring from range, a second from Jesus and a third from captain Morgan Gibbs-White rounded off a dominant away performance, while Vitor Pereira took charge of Forest for the first time.
Fenerbahçe Vs Nottm Forest: Key moments
Forest built an early lead through Murillo's long-range strike, then doubled their advantage when Jesus added a second goal. Captain Morgan Gibbs-White finished the scoring to complete a 3-0 win. The victory was described in match coverage as Forest's biggest ever away win in European competition and was delivered in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round play-off.
Manager reactions and perspective
Fenerbahçe manager Domenico Tedesco said that losing 0-3 showed many things went wrong for his side and that the first half had been difficult, noting Forest's organisation, physicality and decision-making. Nottingham Forest's new manager Vitor Pereira praised the quality of his players and said he had asked them to express themselves; he described the result as very good but cautioned it represented only half of the tie and that consistency would be needed while the schedule remained tight. Pereira has not lost his first game in charge across 15 previous appointments, a statistic noted in post-match coverage.
Captain Morgan Gibbs-White said the team had a clear identity, defended well and created many chances, adding that the clean sheet and win felt like the perfect moment for the squad.
Tie control and next steps
With a 3-0 lead from the first leg, Forest travel back to the second leg holding a strong advantage. The return match is scheduled at the City Ground on Thursday, 26 February at 3: 00 PM ET. If Forest maintain this level, they are in a strong position to advance to the last 16, where they would face either Midtjylland or Real Betis. Domestically, Forest sit fourth bottom in the Premier League, three points above the relegation zone, so balancing European progress with league survival remains the club's overarching priority.
fenerbahçe vs nottm forest now shifts focus to whether Fenerbahçe can overturn the deficit at the City Ground or whether Forest will protect their advantage and press on in Europe while navigating a congested fixture list.
Other European action
Elsewhere in the continental schedule, a Conference League game finished 1-1 between Zrinjski and Crystal Palace, with Sarr putting the visitors ahead before Abramovic levelled. Coverage also notes domestic fixtures being monitored in parallel as clubs manage multiple commitments in this stage of the season.
Key takeaways:
• Nottingham Forest claimed a 3-0 first-leg lead in the Europa League knockout play-off.
• Murillo, Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White were the scorers for Forest.
• Vitor Pereira made a winning debut and remains unbeaten in first games in charge across 15 appointments.
• The second leg is at the City Ground on Thursday, 26 February at 3: 00 PM ET; Forest could meet Midtjylland or Real Betis in the last 16 if they progress.
