ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE — Nottingham Forest delivered a statement performance on Turkish soil, dismantling Fenerbahce 3-0 in a Europa League clash that showcased their clinical edge against the home side's territorial dominance. Murillo's thunderous strike and Igor Jesus's close-range header gave the visitors a commanding interval lead before Morgan Gibbs-White's second-half finish completed a comprehensive victory at Ulker Stadyumu.
The opening exchanges saw Fenerbahce control possession, but Forest's counter-attacking threat materialized in devastating fashion. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Murillo unleashed a powerful left-footed drive from outside the box following a swift break, his effort arrowing into the bottom right corner past Ederson after Elliot Anderson's clever distribution. The Brazilian defender's strike silenced the home crowd and set the tone for what would become a masterclass in efficiency.
Forest continued to threaten despite Fenerbahce's territorial advantage, with Morgan Gibbs-White forcing Ederson into a smart save with a header in the 28th minute after Omari Hutchinson's delivery. The visitors doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime through Igor Jesus, who rose to meet Gibbs-White's headed pass from a corner and powered his header into the top right corner from close range. The 43rd-minute goal left Fenerbahce shell-shocked heading into the interval.
The second half began with both sides creating opportunities. Sidiki Cherif tested Stefan Ortega immediately after the restart, the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper pushing away a right-footed effort from the right side of the box following Çaglar Söyüncü's incisive through ball. At the other end, Gibbs-White saw his initial attempt saved by Ederson in the 50th minute, but the Forest captain made no mistake moments later, converting from the centre of the box after Igor Jesus's clever assist to make it 3-0.
Fenerbahce's frustration manifested in a series of yellow cards, with Jayden Oosterwolde, Çaglar Söyüncü, and Fred all cautioned as the home side struggled to break down Forest's resolute defensive structure. Marco Asensio came closest to reducing the deficit in the 69th minute, but Ortega was equal to his left-footed strike from the centre of the box, preserving Forest's clean sheet. The Spanish playmaker tried his luck again from a direct free kick in the 89th minute, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
The statistics painted a fascinating picture of contrasting approaches. While Fenerbahce enjoyed 56.7% of the ball, Forest's directness proved far more effective. The visitors peppered the goal with 23 attempts compared to Fenerbahce's meager 6, with Forest registering 7 shots on target to the home side's 2. Nottingham Forest's pressure also yielded 10 corners, demonstrating their ability to create dangerous situations in the final third despite ceding possession. Ederson was forced into 4 saves for Fenerbahce, while Ortega needed just 2 stops to secure his clean sheet.
N'Golo Kanté and Mattéo Guendouzi battled tirelessly in Fenerbahce's midfield, but they couldn't stem the tide of Forest's attacking waves. Callum Hudson-Odoi remained a constant menace down the left flank, nearly adding a fourth in the 70th minute when his right-footed shot from the centre of the box required a fine save from Ederson after Nikola Milenkovic's assist. The Serbian defender himself went close with a header that missed to the left following a corner in the 71st minute.
Forest manager made shrewd substitutions to manage the game, introducing Lorenzo Lucca, Dan Ndoye, Nicolás Domínguez, Ryan Yates, and James McAtee to see out the victory. The fresh legs helped maintain Forest's intensity, with Neco Williams forcing another save from Ederson in stoppage time with a right-footed effort from distance. Fenerbahce's late push came to nothing, with Talisca's 57th-minute effort from the centre of the box missing the target entirely.
The victory represents a significant statement from Nottingham Forest in their European campaign, demonstrating their ability to control matches through clinical finishing rather than possession dominance. For Fenerbahce, the defeat raises questions about their ability to convert territorial control into clear-cut chances, with their attack looking toothless despite Marco Asensio and Talisca's presence.
Both sides now turn their attention to domestic duties, with Fenerbahce traveling to face Kasimpasa on February 22 while Nottingham Forest face a stern test away to Liverpool on February 21. The contrasting emotions are stark as Forest ride high on confidence while Fenerbahce must quickly regroup from this chastening European defeat.