In a thrilling start to their UEFA Europa League campaign, Fenerbahce secured a 2-1 victory over Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday night at their home ground. The match was marked by intense action and saw both teams reduced to ten men by the final whistle.
Defender Caglar Soyuncu put Fenerbahce ahead in the 26th minute, netting a half-volley from close range that sent the home fans into a frenzy. The early lead set the tone for the Turkish side, managed by Jose Mourinho, who recently took the helm in the offseason.
The game heated up in the second half when Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th minute, leaving the visitors a man down. Fenerbahce capitalized on the advantage when Christian Burgess inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 82nd minute, doubling Fenerbahce’s lead.
However, the match was far from over. In stoppage time, Ross Sykes found the back of the net for Union Saint-Gilloise, reigniting hopes of a comeback. Moments later, Fenerbahce’s substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel was sent off in the final minute, leveling the playing field but leaving too little time for Union to find an equalizer.
Last season, Fenerbahce eliminated Union Saint-Gilloise in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League, and this victory adds another chapter to their emerging rivalry.
Europe’s second-tier competition is familiar ground for Mourinho, who led Manchester United to the Europa League title in 2017. His experience and tactical acumen were evident as he guided Fenerbahce to a crucial opening win.
In other Europa League action, Mourinho’s former club Roma settled for a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao. Aitor Paredes headed in an equalizer in the 85th minute, offsetting Artem Dovbyk’s first-half goal and highlighting Roma’s recent turbulent stretch, which included the firing of coach Daniele De Rossi.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to European competition after a one-year absence by overcoming an early red card to defeat Qarabag 3-0 at home. Defender Radu Dragusin was sent off in the eighth minute for a challenge on Juninho, but the hosts responded swiftly. Brennan Johnson opened the scoring just four minutes later, marking his third goal in as many games. Pape Sarr doubled the lead early in the second half, and Dominic Solanke sealed the victory with a rebound goal in the 68th minute.
“The red card was not ideal; we started really sloppily, but the reaction afterwards was good,” Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou told TNT Sports. “We wanted to press high, even with ten men.”
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Fenerbahce begin Europa League with home win over Union Saint-Gilloise
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