Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe — Forest reach Europa League last 16 after nervy 4-2 aggregate win
nottm forest vs fenerbahçe finished with Nottingham Forest losing 2-1 on the night but advancing 4-2 on aggregate, a result that settled a tense Europa League tie on 26 Feb, 2026 and left the club facing a mix of on-field drama and off-field disorder.
Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: late goals and flare disruption
Nottingham Forest progressed to the Europa League last 16 despite a 1-2 defeat to Fenerbahçe at the City Ground on 26 Feb, 2026; Callum Hudson-Odoi scored his sixth goal of the season with a low finish in the 68th minute to make the aggregate score 4-2. Kerem Akturkoglu struck twice for the visitors, including a penalty 25 seconds after the restart when Jair Cunha tripped Akturkoglu, and his second on the night put the hosts well in the hunt for an unlikely comeback.
How the match unfolded at the City Ground
Forest had begun the tie with a 3-0 first-leg win in Istanbul the previous week, but the second leg at the City Ground became a test of nerves. Fenerbahçe opened through a breakaway in the 22nd minute when Sidiki Cherif drove down the right and set up Akturkoglu to finish. Elliot Anderson went close for Forest when he fired wide, and Forest went in at half-time trailing by one after a flat first 45 minutes.
Vitor Pereira, who had made six changes after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, made four substitutions at half-time — withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates — and introduced Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré to try to regain control. The substitutes combined in the 68th minute as Aina's cross found Hudson-Odoi at the far post and his low shot found the bottom corner, killing off the visitors' comeback bid.
Three arrests, damaged seating and a delayed game
The match was marred by pyrotechnics and disorder. Play was stopped in the first half after multiple small flares were thrown onto the pitch, and earlier the game was halted for more than three minutes immediately after kick-off when players had to dodge fireworks thrown from sections of a 1, 500-strong away end. Nottinghamshire Police said they received multiple reports of lit flares in the away end, and a section of seating in the away area was found damaged after fans left at the end of the game.
Officers arrested three people linked to incidents inside the stadium: a 37-year-old man arrested after a flare was reportedly thrown by Fenerbahçe fans towards the home end; a 44-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward; and a 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of going onto the playing area at a designated football match. Supt Louise Clarke said investigators are working closely with both clubs, that separate investigations are ongoing into each incident and that police will be analysing all available footage to identify anyone involved.
Reactions from the managers and key moments
Vitor Pereira described the tie as a thriller played under pressure, saying he accepted the risk of making six changes because he needed the squad to be ready for the Premier League trip to Brighton on Sunday. Pereira added that Forest have ambition in the Europa League and must also repair their league position to avoid a difficult situation.
Fenerbahçe coach Domenico Tedesco said his side were proud of their performance but had underperformed at home in the first leg, and that switching coaches days before a match can change dynamics; he accepted his team were out of the competition but left with their heads up. Omari Hutchinson had a late run and was denied by goalkeeper Tarik Cetin after running clean through, and several other chances fell to Fenerbahçe players including an effort by Oguz Aydin following a misplaced pass from Hutchinson and a near miss from Cherif.
What comes next: Brighton, last-16 draw and police inquiries
Forest will now wait to learn whether they face Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the Europa League last 16; Midtjylland are the side that beat Forest in October and prompted the departure of Ange Postecoglou. On the domestic front, Pereira has signalled the team's next match is at Brighton on Sunday. Nottinghamshire Police continue their inquiries into the flare use, pitch invasions and criminal damage and will analyse footage as part of ongoing investigations.
