Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Nervy Forest Reach Europa League Last 16 After 1-2 Home Defeat (4-2 agg)

In a dramatic return leg on 26 Feb, 2026, Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe ended in a 2-1 victory for the visitors but a 4-2 aggregate win for Nottingham Forest, with Callum Hudson-Odoi's low second-half finish — his sixth goal of the season — ultimately settling the tie and sending Forest into the Europa League last 16.

Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Match overview and key result

Nottingham Forest progressed to the last 16 despite what was described as a sloppy and tentative display. Fenerbahçe threatened a remarkable comeback after Kerem Aktürkoglu scored twice, the second from the penalty spot, to make it 2-0 on the night. Forest's 3-0 first-leg advantage from Istanbul proved decisive: the aggregate score finished 4-2 in Forest's favour.

Timeline of pivotal moments

• Immediately after kick-off the game was halted for more than three minutes as players had to avoid fireworks thrown onto the pitch from sections of a 1, 500-strong away end.
• On 22 minutes Sidiki Cherif broke down the right and set up Kerem Aktürkoglu, who finished a breakaway move to put Fenerbahçe 1-0 in the match and breathe life into a comeback.
• At half-time Nottingham Forest had only a one-goal deficit on the night despite being flat; manager Vitor Pereira made four changes at the break, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates among others.
• Twenty-five seconds after the restart Jair Cunha tripped Aktürkoglu and the striker converted the penalty to make it 2-0 on the night.
• In the 68th minute substitutes combined as Ola Aina's cross found Callum Hudson-Odoi at the far post; Hudson-Odoi's low shot restored Forest's aggregate advantage and effectively killed the tie.
• Late in the match Omari Hutchinson broke clean through but was denied by goalkeeper Tarik Cetin, leaving the final scoreline 2-1 to Fenerbahçe.

Line-up changes, substitutions and individual contributions

Vitor Pereira made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Liverpool on Sunday, a decision he described as a risk taken with the upcoming Premier League trip to Brighton in mind. At half-time he introduced Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré in an attempt to regain control. Hudson-Odoi, one of those half-time substitutes, scored the decisive goal and it was recorded as his sixth of the season.

For Fenerbahçe, Kerem Aktürkoglu was central to the comeback attempt with two goals, one from open play and one penalty. Other visitors who influenced the match included Sidiki Cherif and Oguz Aydin; Cherif created the opening and had further chances, while Oguz Aydin was involved in a move that nearly produced a second for Aktürkoglu before half-time. Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and forward Elliot Anderson also featured in key moments.

Security incidents, stoppages and arrests

The fixture was marred by pyrotechnic disorder and subsequent policing action. Multiple small flares were lit in the away end and several were thrown onto the pitch, forcing delays while they were removed. Separately, fireworks thrown immediately after kick-off caused a stoppage of more than three minutes as players had to avoid them.

Nottinghamshire Police arrested three people after the match: a 37-year-old man in connection with a flare being thrown towards the home end, a 44-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting a steward, and a 38-year-old man on suspicion of entering the playing area at a designated football match. Officers reported damaged seating in a section of the away end after fans left, and said investigations into pyrotechnic use, criminal damage and the separate alleged offences are ongoing. Police will be analysing available footage and appealing for information to identify anyone involved.

What comes next for both clubs

Nottingham Forest will now prepare for a last-16 tie against either FC Midtjylland or Real Betis. FC Midtjylland beat Forest in October and that result was noted as a turning point that contributed to the departure of their previous manager. Forest drew 2-2 away to Real Betis during the league phase, making either possible opponent a familiar challenge.

Fenerbahçe's coach Domenico Tedesco reflected that his team could hold their heads up despite elimination, noting pride in his players' personality and belief, while acknowledging that the visitors underperformed in the home leg and lost the qualification at home. Nottingham Forest's manager stressed the need to balance cup ambition with Premier League priorities, citing the importance of energy and fuel for the upcoming Brighton match and an ambition to progress further in Europe while addressing a precarious league position.

Details contained here reflect the events of the 26 Feb, 2026 second-leg tie at the City Ground; investigations into the security incidents and arrests are ongoing and further developments may emerge.