Hudson-Odoi's Decisive Strike Propels Nottingham Forest into Europa League Last 16
Nottingham Forest secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night, overcoming a tense 2-1 home defeat to Fenerbahce thanks to a crucial second-half goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi. The victory, which followed a 3-0 first-leg win in Istanbul, ensured Forest progressed 4-2 on aggregate, extinguishing Fenerbahce's hopes of a historic comeback.
Fenerbahce's Early Surge Threatens Forest's Hopes
For much of the match at the City Ground, Forest faced the prospect of an unwanted piece of history. Fenerbahce, fueled by the belief of their injury-ravaged squad and passionate supporters, took a 2-0 lead on the night through two goals from Kerem Akturkoglu. His first came in the 22nd minute, finishing a swift counterattack, while his second was a penalty just 25 seconds after halftime, awarded after a clumsy challenge by Forest defender Jair Cunha.
The Turkish side's early dominance shifted the dynamic of the tie, with Forest appearing disjointed and sloppy. Manager Vítor Pereira had warned against complacency after the first-leg triumph, but his much-changed lineup struggled to find rhythm. Defensive errors, including an uncomfortable shift for Murillo to left-back, compounded Forest's woes, though goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made key saves to keep the aggregate lead intact.
Flare Incidents and Tense Atmosphere
The match was marred by disruptions from Fenerbahce supporters, who threw flares onto the pitch within 30 seconds of kickoff, causing a brief pause. This contrasted sharply with the strict measures imposed on Forest fans during the away leg in Kadikoy, where they were bussed into the stadium hours early. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Forest's Elliot Anderson stood out as their best player in the first half, narrowly missing a chance to reduce the deficit.
Hudson-Odoi's Moment of Brilliance Turns the Tide
Pereira responded to Fenerbahce's penalty with a quadruple substitution at halftime, introducing Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina, Igor Jesus, and Ibrahim Sangaré. The move paid dividends in the 67th minute when Aina chipped a ball to the back post, where Hudson-Odoi controlled it expertly, twisted past defender Nelson Semedo, and slotted home to restore Forest's two-goal aggregate advantage. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations from Pereira and relieved the underlying tensions that had gripped the City Ground.
Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
With the victory, Forest now await Friday's draw to learn their next opponents in the Europa League last 16, with potential clashes against Midtjylland or Real Betis, both of whom they faced in the league phase. Fenerbahce's dreams of reaching the final in Besiktas in May are over, while Forest can celebrate a hard-fought progression despite the home defeat. The result underscores Forest's resilience in European competition, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase.
