Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Nervy Forest reach Europa League last 16 after 4-2 aggregate win
Nottingham Forest progressed to the Europa League last 16 despite losing 2-1 at the City Ground to Fenerbahçe, advancing 4-2 on aggregate. The result matters because Forest must now balance Europa League ambition with Premier League priorities as their manager rotated heavily ahead of a looming Brighton fixture.
Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Key moments at the City Ground
Forest's two-legged tie had been put beyond serious doubt by a 3-0 win in Istanbul last week, but the second leg quickly became tense. Kerem Akturkoglu struck on 22 minutes to give Fenerbahçe hope, and he added a second from the penalty spot just 25 seconds into the second half after Jair Cunha tripped him and a VAR check upheld the on-field decision. Callum Hudson-Odoi, introduced at half-time, restored calm with a low finish 22 minutes from full time to make the aggregate 4-2 and seal progression.
Kerem Akturkoglu's double and the decisive penalty
Akturkoglu's brace — the second arriving from the penalty awarded almost immediately after the restart — put Forest on edge and threatened to erase the cushion built in Turkey. His first-half breakaway finish on 22 minutes sowed confidence in the visitors and led to further chances for Akturkoglu and Sidiki Cherif, both of whom missed opportunities to level the tie on aggregate in the first period.
Vitor Pereira's rotation, risk and rationale
Forest head coach Vitor Pereira made six changes to his starting XI after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, citing the need to manage energy for the club's Premier League trip to Brighton in three days. Pereira also made four alterations at half-time, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates among others, and described the decisions as a calculated risk to balance two competitions. He said the team had ambition in the Europa League while acknowledging discomfort in the Premier League table and the need to secure points domestically.
Fireworks, halftime substitutions and substitutes' impact
Moments after kick-off a section of the 1, 500-strong away end launched several fireworks onto the pitch, prompting a three-minute delay as pyrotechnics landed in the Forest penalty area. Jair Cunha and Neco Williams had to avoid the devices; Archie Brown intervened to remove some of the fireworks and urge calm. At half-time, with no shots on target and a high turnover of possession, Pereira brought on Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare. Aina's swinging cross found Hudson-Odoi on the left of the area; the substitute sped past his marker and hammered the ball into the far corner — described as his first European goal of the season — calming the City Ground and deflating an injury-hit Fenerbahçe side.
Late chances, goalkeeper interventions and match aftermath
Omari Hutchinson carved out a late opportunity after running clean through, but Tarik Cetin denied him, preserving Fenerbahçe's 2-1 win on the night. Earlier in the second half, Forest substitute efforts steadied possession and reduced the pressure their supporters felt after the second goal. The home crowd's nervous whistles subsided as the match reached the closing stages and Forest managed the final minutes to protect the aggregate lead.
What comes next: Real Betis or FC Midtjylland
By advancing, Forest enter the last-16 draw and will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland. FC Midtjylland beat Nottingham Forest in October, a result that played a part in the departure of former manager Ange Postecoglou, while Forest drew 2-2 away to Real Betis during the league phase. Fenerbahçe coach Domenico Tedesco praised his players' personality and belief, said his team underperformed at home and accepted they were out of the competition with their heads up.
What makes this notable is how quickly a comfortable position from the first leg became fragile: a 3-0 advantage meant Forest could afford rotation, but early pressure, a swift second-half penalty and a vocal away end combined to create a false sense of jeopardy that only subsided after Hudson-Odoi's intervention.
Forest's progression — a 4-2 aggregate outcome — leaves them in the Europa League last 16 and sets up a draw with either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland as the club attempts to juggle continental ambitions and a challenging domestic schedule.
