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Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have taken a giant step towards a return to Europe’s biggest stage, producing a remarkable 5-2 home victory against Feyenoord to overturn a first-leg deficit and win 6-4 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.
The result puts the Turkish giants just one round away from their first Champions League appearance in 17 years. Standing in their way? A familiar face from Mourinho’s own history — Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, the club where he began his managerial career 25 years ago.
The Stakes and the Setup
Heading into the second leg in Istanbul, the situation was far from ideal for Fenerbahce. A 2-1 loss in Rotterdam left them needing a strong home performance to advance, but they also had to manage the occasion against a Feyenoord side coached by none other than Robin van Persie — a former Mourinho player at Manchester United.
Adding to the drama, Fenerbahce’s last appearance in the Champions League group stage came all the way back in the 2008–09 season. Their biggest domestic rivals, Galatasaray, had already secured a place in the main draw as Turkish champions, and the pressure was on to make sure the yellow-and-navy would join them.
Mourinho, renowned for his tactical nous in high-pressure European ties, faced a challenge: how to inspire his side to overturn the deficit without falling into the trap of chasing the game recklessly.
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Early Blow, Rapid Response
The night started nervously for the home supporters at a packed Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Feyenoord took the lead in the 41st minute through defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe, extending their aggregate advantage to 3-1 and leaving Fenerbahce with a mountain to climb.
But if there’s one thing Mourinho’s teams are known for, it’s their ability to respond to setbacks. Within minutes, Fenerbahce struck back. The equaliser on the night came from a well-worked move down the right, finished clinically by the in-form attack.
Then came the turning point: on the stroke of halftime, Colombian forward Jhon Durán — on loan from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr — pounced inside the box to give Fenerbahce a 2-1 lead on the night (and 3-3 on aggregate). The crowd erupted, sensing momentum had shifted dramatically.
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Fred and Talisca Seal the Deal
The second half was pure football theatre. Just minutes after the restart, Fred, the Brazilian midfielder and former Manchester United man, smashed home a powerful shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-1. Feyenoord now needed an away goal just to level the tie.
Fenerbahce, however, weren’t finished. In the 66th minute, Anderson Talisca, another ex-Al Nassr player and former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, curled in a superb finish to extend the lead to 4-1 on the night.
Though Feyenoord pulled one back to make it 4-2, Fenerbahce had the final say. A late strike from their front line restored the three-goal cushion and sealed a 5-2 victory, 6-4 on aggregate.
Mourinho’s Historic Link to Benfica
Next up for Fenerbahce is a two-legged playoff against SL Benfica — the Portuguese giants where Mourinho’s journey as a head coach began in 2000. His time there was brief, lasting less than three months, but it marked the start of one of the most decorated managerial careers in football history.
The first leg will take place in Istanbul next Wednesday, with the return fixture set for August 27 at the iconic Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. A place in the newly expanded 36-team Champions League league phase awaits the winner.
Benfica booked their own place in the playoffs by defeating French side Nice 2-0 at home, following an identical 2-0 victory in the first leg in France.
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European Context
Fenerbahce’s long absence from Europe’s elite competition has been a point of frustration for their passionate supporters. In the intervening years, they have had mixed fortunes domestically and in the Europa League, but under Mourinho, there is renewed belief that they can once again compete among Europe’s best.
Their return would also boost Turkey’s coefficient ranking and provide a high-profile rivalry with Galatasaray on the continental stage.
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Other Champions League Playoff Contenders
While Fenerbahce’s comeback grabbed headlines, it was a busy night of action across the continent as clubs battled for a place in the playoff round.
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Rangers advanced 4-2 on aggregate against Viktoria Plzen, despite a 2-1 away defeat in the Czech Republic. They will face Club Brugge, who staged their own comeback with three second-half goals to beat Salzburg 3-2 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
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Pafos FC, the Cypriot champions backed by Russian ownership, defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 to progress 3-0 on aggregate. They will meet Red Star Belgrade, who overcame Lech Poznan 4-2 over two legs after a 1-1 home draw.
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Copenhagen demolished Swedish rivals Malmo 5-0 after a goalless first leg, setting up a clash with Swiss champions Basel.
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Qarabag of Azerbaijan brushed aside Shkendija of North Macedonia 5-1 on the night, 6-1 on aggregate, to earn a tie against Hungary’s Ferencvaros, who beat Ludogorets 3-0 in Budapest.
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Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan eliminated Slovan Bratislava on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw and will now travel across four time zones to face Celtic in Scotland.
Mourinho’s European Pedigree
For Mourinho, the stakes go beyond simply qualifying for the group stage. A place in the Champions League would mark yet another chapter in a career that has already seen him lift the trophy twice — with FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.
His reputation for navigating knockout ties remains formidable, and Fenerbahce’s fearless performance against Feyenoord suggests the team is buying into his winning mentality.
The Portuguese tactician has also made a point of blending experienced campaigners with younger talent. Players like Fred and Talisca bring both quality and leadership, while loanees such as Jhon Durán add freshness and unpredictability in attack.
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Looking Ahead
The tie against Benfica will be rich in narrative. Mourinho’s return to the club where it all began will be scrutinised heavily in the Portuguese press, and Benfica — perennial Champions League participants — will present a stern test.
Fenerbahce’s fans, however, will believe. The ferocity of their home support can turn matches into hostile cauldrons for visiting teams, and if the second leg in Istanbul is anything like the Feyenoord game, Benfica will have a battle on their hands.
For now, the focus will be on recovery, preparation, and fine-tuning tactics for a contest that could define Fenerbahce’s season. The Champions League is within touching distance — just two games away — and Mourinho knows exactly how much that means to a club of this stature
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