Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe — Hudson-Odoi strike sends Forest through after 2-1 loss
nottm forest vs fenerbahçe ended 2-1 at the City Ground on 26 Feb, 2026, but Nottingham Forest advanced to the Europa League last 16 by 4-2 on aggregate after Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half goal quelled a furious comeback from the visitors.
Forest survive late scare at the City Ground
Forest trailed 2-1 on the night after Kerem Akturkoglu’s double put the home side under intense pressure, but Hudson-Odoi’s low finish in the 68th minute — his sixth goal of the season — restored a two-goal aggregate cushion and sealed progression to the last 16. The result left Forest through 4-2 on aggregate despite a tentative performance at the City Ground on Thursday.
Early stoppage and a fast start for Fenerbahce
The match was halted for more than three minutes immediately after kick-off when Forest players had to dodge fireworks thrown onto the pitch from sections of a 1, 500-strong away end. Play resumed and, on 22 minutes, Forest were caught on the break: Sidiki Cherif broke down the right and found a pass for Akturkoglu, who composed himself and fired the visitors into a 1-0 lead on the night.
Substitutions and a penalty shifted the momentum
Vitor Pereira had already named a side containing six changes from the team that faced Liverpool on Sunday, and at half-time he made four more changes, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates and bringing on Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré. That reshuffle mattered quickly: 25 seconds after the restart Jair Cunha tripped Akturkoglu and the striker converted the penalty to make it 2-0 on the night and raise the anxiety at the City Ground.
Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: key moments that decided the tie
Forest had chances to respond before and after the break. Elliot Anderson went close in the first half when he shot wide from inside the area, and Omari Hutchinson ran clean through late on only to be denied by goalkeeper Tarik Cetin. The decisive sequence came in the 68th minute when Aina’s cross found Hudson-Odoi at the far post and his low shot hit the bottom corner to finish off Fenerbahce’s comeback bid.
Reactions, upcoming opponents and context
Manager Vitor Pereira said he was happy to move forward and defended his selection choices, noting the need to manage players with the Premier League trip to Brighton on Sunday in mind and describing his half-time changes as a calculated risk to keep energy for the next game. Fenerbahce coach Domenico Tedesco said his team were proud of their performance with "personality and belief, " adding that Forest had changed coach a few days before the tie and had overperformed in Istanbul in the first leg while his side had underperformed.
What’s next
By advancing 4-2 on aggregate, Nottingham Forest will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the last 16; Forest drew 2-2 with Real Betis in Spain earlier in the league phase, and FC Midtjylland beat Forest in October — a result that helped precipitate the departure of Ange Postecoglou. Forest’s next Premier League match is at Brighton on Sunday, a fixture Pereira said influenced his team selection for the Europa League second leg.
