Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Nervy 1-2 Night Sees Forest Through 4-2 on Aggregate, Arrests Follow

In a dramatic Europa League playoff second leg, nottm forest vs fenerbahçe finished 1-2 on the night but 4-2 on aggregate, with Callum Hudson-Odoi's sixth goal of the season ultimately securing Nottingham Forest's progression to the last 16. The match combined late drama on the pitch with a set of off-field incidents that led to three arrests.

Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Match recap

Forest arrived at the City Ground with a 3-0 cushion from the first leg in Istanbul but were made to sweat as Kerem Akturkoglu scored twice, including a second-half penalty, to reduce the deficit on aggregate. The tie swung back when Hudson-Odoi, introduced at half-time, produced a low finish 22 minutes from the end (68th minute) to restore the two-goal aggregate margin and end the visitors' hopes of an extraordinary comeback.

How the tie turned: key moments and substitutions

The tie turned on a number of specific incidents. The opening strike arrived on 22 minutes when Sidiki Cherif broke down the right and found Kerem Akturkoglu, who composed himself and slammed home. Forest were caught by a high line and struggled to get control; Elliot Anderson went close when he shot wide, while Cherif later fired into the side netting from an acute angle.

At half-time manager Vitor Pereira made significant changes. He had earlier made six changes following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, mindful of the next Premier League game at Brighton on Sunday. At the break Pereira made four more changes, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates and bringing on Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré as part of a bid to regain control.

Just 25 seconds after the restart Jair Cunha tripped Akturkoglu and the striker converted the penalty, increasing the anxiety at the City Ground. Forest later asserted control and killed the comeback when Aina’s cross found Hudson-Odoi at the far post and his low shot hit the bottom corner. Omari Hutchinson could have made it 2-2 on the night but was denied late on by Tarik Cetin after running clean through.

Disciplinary incidents, pyrotechnics and arrests

The match was interrupted by pyrotechnic activity. Play was stopped for more than three minutes immediately after kick-off as Forest players had to evade fireworks thrown onto the pitch from sections of a 1, 500-strong away end; officials removed multiple flares and the game was delayed for several minutes in the first half. Nottinghamshire Police opened an investigation into a series of incidents inside the ground, including multiple reports of small flares being lit and thrown from the away end.

Three people were arrested following the game. A 37-year-old man was arrested after a flare was reportedly thrown towards the home end, a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward, and a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of entering the playing area at a designated football match. A section of seating in the away end was discovered to have been damaged after fans left the area.

Supt Louise Clarke said investigators are working closely with both clubs, analysing available footage and conducting separate inquiries into each incident as well as wider reports of pyrotechnic use and criminal damage.

Reactions: managers and what the result means

Vitor Pereira described the tie as a tense, pressure-filled contest and defended the team’s selection choices, explaining the risk of six changes was taken because the Brighton game was important and the squad needed fuel and energy. He emphasised ambition in the Europa League and the need to secure Premier League points to avoid a difficult situation in the table.

Fenerbahçe coach Domenico Tedesco said his team were proud of their performance and acknowledged they had underperformed in the away leg, noting the visitors had changed their coach shortly before that game and that circumstances had had an impact. He accepted his team were out of the competition but said they left with their heads up.

What comes next

Forest progress to the Europa League last 16 and will face either FC Midtjylland or Real Betis. FC Midtjylland beat Nottingham Forest in October, an outcome that contributed to Ange Postecoglou’s exit, while Forest drew 2-2 away to Real Betis during the league phase. Any further developments from the ongoing policing investigations and the identity of the next opponent will be watched closely.