Fenerbahçe produced a spectacular reversal of fortunes in the third preliminary round of the Champions League, sweeping aside Feyenoord 5-2 in Istanbul on Tuesday evening to secure a place in the play-offs. After losing 2-1 in the first leg in Rotterdam, José Mourinho’s team entered the decisive match under pressure, but produced a flawless performance to overturn the deficit. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri was at the heart of the victory, scoring in the 83rd minute to put the result out of reach before gifting a goal to teammate Duran.
His contribution capped an inspired attacking performance from the Turkish giants, who dominated large phases of the match.
The match started at a frenetic pace, with Fenerbahçe determined to erase Feyenoord’s advantage.
Early goals swung the momentum decisively in their favor, and despite some moments of resistance from the Dutch champions, the home side’s relentless attacking play proved too much to contain.
En-Nesyri’s goal, Fenerbahçe’s fourth of the evening, came at a crucial stage when Feyenoord were still clinging to faint hopes of a late comeback. The Moroccan took advantage of a precise through ball, showing composure to finish effectively against the goalkeeper.
Moments later, he became the decisive passer, providing a pass to Duran, who calmly pushed the ball into the back of the net to complete the rout.
The victory not only ensured qualification but also marked a statement of intent for Mourinho’s men, who will now face Portuguese club Benfica in the play-off round.
The first leg is scheduled for August 19 or 20, with the second leg scheduled for August 19 or 20. decisive on August 26. Looking back on the performance, the team will now focus on maintaining the same offensive sharpness against a Benfica renowned for their European experience. As the stakes grow, Fenerbahçe will aim to capitalize on this momentum to clinch their place in the Champions League group stage.
For En-Nesyri, the evening was a showcase of his value to the squad – a combination of goalscoring instinct and selfless creativity that will be vital to the club’s European ambitions. Going from a deficit after the first leg to a victory with a comfortable overall margin, Fenerbahçe’s triumph over Feyenoord was much more than a comeback: a strong statement that means they are ready to challenge Europe’s elite.
AZ-EDDINE AALLABOUCH
