Key Takeaways:
- Benfica claimed a 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce at the Estádio da Luz in the Champions League playoff second leg
- Kerem Akturkoglu, a former Galatasaray player, netted the only goal in the 35th minute
- Fenerbahce concluded the match with ten men after Anderson Talisca was sent off in the 82nd minute
Match Analysis
Benfica booked their spot in the Champions League main phase after defeating Fenerbahce 1-0 in the second leg of the playoff round. Following a goalless first encounter, Kerem Akturkoglu emerged as the hero, delivering the decisive goal in the 35th minute at Estádio da Luz. The Turkish midfielder, formerly of Galatasaray, capitalised on defensive mishaps to ensure José Mourinho’s side exited at the threshold of the group stage.
Turkish Delight 😏🇹🇷#SLBFSK • #UCL pic.twitter.com/AgXYg2PthX
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) August 27, 2025
Key Moments and Disallowed Goals
The hosts dominated proceedings early, threatening Fenerbahce’s defence on several occasions. Evangelos Pavlidis thought he had opened the scoring as early as the 11th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Leandro Barreiro then found the net in the 23rd minute, only for his goal to be chalked off for a foul in the build-up. Persistence paid off on the third attempt, as Akturkoglu converted from inside the area to edge Benfica in front.
Second Half Chances and Red Card Drama
Benfica nearly extended their lead just after the hour mark when Antonio Silva’s powerful header was kept out by Dominik Livaković. Fenerbahce came close to a breakthrough of their own in the 71st minute as Youssef En-Nesyri hit the crossbar. The visitors’ hopes faded further when Anderson Talisca was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card in the 82nd minute, leaving his side a man down and ultimately sealing Benfica’s progression.
| Match | Date | Venue | Score | Goal Scorer | Red Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benfica vs Fenerbahce | Champions League Playoff Second Leg | Estádio da Luz | 1-0 | Kerem Akturkoglu (35’) | Anderson Talisca (82’) |
Outcome and Next Steps
As a result of this narrow success, Benfica have secured their place in the Champions League group stage. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, must settle for participation in the Europa League, after a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful campaign under Mourinho in the playoffs.
