In Istanbul, where a two-goal start can make the Şükrü Saracoğlu feel unstoppable, Fenerbahçe were left with another European evening that slipped from celebration into frustration. Still without a Champions League victory and coming off a 6-0 defeat by Aston Villa, the Turkish side drew 2-2 with Slavia Prague after surrendering the 2-0 advantage they had built inside 11 minutes.
The match began at remarkable speed. Aydin gave Fenerbahçe the lead in the fourth minute, receiving on the right before cutting inside and bending a finish into the top corner. Slavia goalkeeper Markovic got fingertips to the ball but could not keep it out.
Fenerbahçe’s early command appeared to deepen seven minutes later. Nelson Semedo delivered from the right and Mason Greenwood controlled with his left foot before striking a first-time volley before the ball touched the ground. The finish put the home side two ahead and prompted animated celebrations from coach Ismail Kartal on the touchline.
Yet Slavia were handed an immediate route back into the contest. Matteo Guendouzi made a costly mistake while playing out from the back, giving the ball directly to Provod. The Czech midfielder beat Ederson one-on-one in the 15th minute to reduce the deficit.
The rush of the opening quarter-hour then gave way to a more restrained first half. Muriqi and Aydin each tested Markovic, while Fenerbahçe suffered a setback when Aké was forced off with a muscular complaint. There was also visible discontent among the home players and staff with the decisions of Spanish referee De Burgos Bengoetxea.
A retreat that brought punishment
Neither team created sustained momentum after the interval. Fenerbahçe sought to protect their narrow lead without exposing themselves, while Slavia Prague gradually spent more time around the Turkish side’s final third. One effort was cleared from near the goal line by a defender, but clear openings remained scarce for much of the half.
Lukaku’s arrival gave Fenerbahçe an opportunity to settle the match. In his first meaningful involvement, the Belgian created a close-range chance for Nene, only for the goalkeeper to make the save. Lukaku later had an opportunity himself but sent his attempt over the crossbar.
With Greenwood withdrawn and the priority increasingly placed on keeping Slavia out, Fenerbahçe dropped deeper. The plan held until the 89th minute. Ayaosi surged down the right and supplied a cross which Kacor met with a diving, acrobatic header. Ederson made contact, but the effort came from too close a distance for him to prevent the equaliser.
The late goal silenced the Istanbul crowd and completed a difficult night for Fenerbahçe. From the brightness of Aydin’s opener and Greenwood’s sharp volley, they had arrived at another reminder of how quickly a European match can turn when a lead is treated as something to defend rather than extend.
