Key Takeaways:
- Fenerbahçe and Benfica played to a 0:0 draw in Istanbul during their Champions League playoff encounter
- Florentino Luís was dismissed in the 71st minute, reducing Benfica to ten men
- Youssef En-Nesyri’s late goal was ruled out for offside, keeping the tie level ahead of the second leg on August 27
Match Analysis
Fenerbahçe and Benfica could not be separated in Istanbul, as their much-anticipated Champions League playoff match finished in a 0:0 draw. The result ensures that all will be decided in the return fixture at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, scheduled for 27 August.
The encounter contrasted sharply with their previous friendly, which saw Benfica come out on top with a 3:2 victory. On this occasion, both teams struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, resulting in a balanced contest with limited attacking threat.
Key Moments and Player Impact
The hosts crafted the superior chances, particularly after the pivotal moment in the 71st minute when Benfica’s midfielder Florentino Luís received two yellow cards in quick succession and was sent off. This numerical advantage intensified Fenerbahçe’s pressure on the visitors.
Full time: Fenerbahçe 0-0 Benfica #UCL #FBvSLB pic.twitter.com/ya0d245VlL
— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 20, 2025
In the 81st minute, substitute Anderson Talisca forced goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into a difficult save, after which Youssef En-Nesyri followed up to score, only for the effort to be disallowed owing to a marginal offside infringement by the Moroccan forward. As a result, Fenerbahçe missed the opportunity to secure an important lead ahead of their challenging visit to Lisbon.
| Fixture | Score | Date | Venue | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenerbahçe vs Benfica | 0:0 | 20 August | Ulker Stadium Sukru Saracoglu | Florentino Luís sent off (71′), En-Nesyri goal disallowed (offside, 81′) |
| Benfica vs Fenerbahçe | ?:? | 27 August | Estadio da Luz | Second Leg |
What Comes Next
With the tie finely balanced, all attention now shifts to the decisive second leg at Estádio da Luz, where both sides remain in contention for a coveted place in the Champions League group stage.
