Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce; UEFA Europa League Knockout Play-offs
Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce. UEFA Europa League Knockout Play-offs.
The City GroundAttendance26,883.
Nottingham Forest 1
- C Hudson-Odoi (68th minute)
Fenerbahce 2
- M Akturkoglu (22nd minute, 48th minute pen)
4-2
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Fenerbahce (Agg 4-2): Vitor Pereira's side survive scare to seal Europa League last-16 place
Report as Nottingham Forest seal their place in the last-16 draw with a Europa League knockout play-off win against Fenerbahce; Kerem Akturkoglu scored twice, but Callum Hudson-Odoi replied for Forest; they will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the next round
Thursday 26 February 2026 23:23, UK
Nottingham Forest survived a scare from Fenerbahce to book their Europa League last-16 place, winning 4-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat at the City ground in Thursday's second leg.
Vitor Pereira had the luxury of rotation for the knockout play-off tie, having already won 3-0 in Istanbul last week, but the difference in performances could not have been more vast.
Forest were the architects of their own difficulties too, and made a seemingly simple task monumentally harder.
They were first punished in the 22nd minute when Fenerbahce's ruthless break saw Kerem Akturkoglu sweep home to hand the visitors a lifeline.
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It gave Fenerbahce real confidence, with Akturkoglu and Sidiki Cherif squandering glorious chances to level up the tie in the first half.
After 45 minutes with no shots on target, high turnovers and losing duels, Pereira made four half-time changes - something he called "difficult" after the game - bringing on Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare.
But seconds into the second half, another clumsy moment handed Fenerbahce a penalty. Jair Cunha stuck a foot out to catch Akturkoglu and, after a VAR check, the on-field decision stood.
It was the forward who stepped up and easily slotted home his second of the evening to give the Turkish side real hope of levelling up on aggregate.
But Forest soon settled into their rhythm as the substitutes worked their magic, even if the approach of careful possession - as they have done so well in their two games under Pereira so far - did little to calm the nerves of the home fans.
And as the unhappy whistles began, Forest answered. It was two substitutes who combined as Aina's swinging cross found Hudson-Odoi over on the left of the area. He then sped past his defender before hammering home his first European goal of the season into the far corner.
The relief was palpable around the City Ground, and it took the remaining puff out of injury-hit Fenerbahce. Forest are now in the draw for Friday's last-16 draw, and will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland.
Pereira: Changing six players was a risk
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira: "When you change half of a team, it's not easy to keep the level, that's my responsibility because we have an important game in three days. By my decision, I try to manage the next game and recover some players. It's not easy. It will change a lot.
"We are in the moment of the season that we need to think not about one game, but about two games, about the next game. It was a risk because I decided to make six changes in the team. If you have one or two changes the players can be in the middle of the others, and you don't miss the quality.
"But when you change six players they aren't used to playing 90 minutes. This is the risk and I decide to take this risk. I decide because I need to think about the Brighton game, because it's very important for us. We need to go there with fuel and energy.
"We conceded a goal and lost the confidence to play. It was difficult for me to do four subs at half-time, but I said to the players it's my decision. The game was a dangerous situation for us. They start the second half by scoring the second goal and after we start to play and create.
"We have a big chance to score the second goal. Ok, this is important to keep in our mind. I know they came here to fight for the result."
On learnings: "Even for me. If you change five players you don't know what will happen. When the pressure starts to come, under stress it's difficult to be themselves when you don't play every match. In the end, we are in the competition so let's move forward and think about Brighton."
Hudson-Odoi: We made it difficult for ourselves
Nottingham Forest goalscorer Callum Hudson-Odoi to TNT Sports: "We made it difficult for ourselves. When you're in the lead and sometimes you can feel a bit comfortable, but we showed a great reaction after they scored the second goal.
"We wanted to score, which we did. It's important that we're through even if we didn't get the result on the night."
On what Forest needed to do in the second half: "We needed to up the levels a bit more and focus on what we know is best - that's us on the ball, playing a high press and going to win the ball up high.
"It was unfortunate to score a second goal straight away in the second half but we reacted very well.
"In situations like that where they're getting a couple of goals, you've got to calm the game down. They're trying to chase the game, but we had to do what we know best - keep the ball, create more chances and hope to get a goal.
"When we got the goal, it gave us more breathing space to attack more. We've just got to keep working hard and push ourselves to get results."
On facing either Real Betis or Midtjylland in the last 16: "No matter who comes, we're going to be prepared and ready for the game."
What is the Europa League schedule?
Round of 16 draw: 27 February, 12pm
Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
Final: 20 May 2026 (Istanbul)
