Europa League: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Fenerbahce (4-2 agg) — Nervy Forest reach last 16
Nottingham Forest lost 1-2 at the City Ground but advanced 4-2 on aggregate to the europa league last 16 after Kerem Akturkoglu's brace was cancelled out by Callum Hudson-Odoi's decisive strike. The result, in the Europa League playoff second leg on Feb 26, 2026, leaves Forest through despite a tense, error-strewn performance.
Late Hudson-Odoi strike secures progression and marks his sixth of the season
Callum Hudson-Odoi, one of the half-time substitutes, finished low at the far post from an Ola Aina cross in the 68th minute — 22 minutes from the end — to make the tie 4-2 on aggregate. That finish was Hudson-Odoi's sixth goal of the season and it proved to be the knockout blow that sent Vitor Pereira's side into the last 16, even though Forest lost the match 2-1 on the night.
Kerem Akturkoglu double and quick penalty swung momentum
Kerem Akturkoglu scored twice for Fenerbahce, the first coming on 22 minutes when Sidiki Cherif broke down the right and picked out a pass that Akturkoglu slammed home after Forest were caught on a high line. The second arrived 25 seconds after the restart when Jair Cunha tripped Akturkoglu and the striker converted the spot-kick, briefly turning the contest into a real comeback threat.
Pereira's rotations and Europa League priorities
Vitor Pereira had made six changes to the side that faced Liverpool on Sunday after a 1-0 defeat, and he defended those decisions by stressing the season's demands. "We move forward - I'm happy, we played under pressure. It was like a thriller - with suspense, " he said, adding that he had taken a risk with rotation because he was thinking about the Brighton game on Sunday and wanted the squad to have "fuel and energy. " Pereira said his decisions were not just about this game and reiterated Forest's ambition in the Europa League to move on to the next stage while noting the club's uncomfortable position in the Premier League table.
Half-time changes, substitutions and earlier openings
Pereira made four changes at the break, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates and bringing on Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré in an attempt to regain control. Forest had been misfiring in the first half and were fortunate to be only a goal down at the interval. Elliot Anderson went close with a shot that flew wide, while other chances in the first half included Sidiki Cherif firing into the side netting.
Disruption, missed chances and late drama at the City Ground
The game was halted for more than three minutes immediately after kick-off when fireworks were thrown onto the pitch from sections of a 1, 500-strong away end, forcing players to dodge them. Later in the match Omari Hutchinson could have levelled the tie on the night but was denied after running clean through by Tarik Cetin. Oguz Aydin also profited from a Hutchinson misplaced pass to tee up an opportunity that Akturkoglu dragged wide, and Cherif had another chance but his shot was kept out by goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Fenerbahce reaction and the next opponent: Midtjylland or Real Betis
Fenerbahce coach Domenico Tedesco praised his players' personality and belief but accepted elimination. "At home, we lost the qualification, they changed the coach a few days before which changes things, they overperformed in our stadium, we underperformed, " he said, adding that his team must accept being out but could hold their heads up. Forest will now face either FC Midtjylland, who beat them in October and whose victory helped spark Ange Postecoglou's downfall, or Real Betis, whom Forest drew 2-2 with in Spain during the league phase.
