Fenerbahçe took a giant step toward the UEFA Europa League last 16 with a dominant 3-0 win over Anderlecht in the first leg of their play-off tie at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The victory extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 13 matches, reinforcing their status as serious contenders under José Mourinho.
The Turkish giants wasted no time asserting control, with Dušan Tadić expertly guiding Yusuf Akçiçek’s header into the net from a Filip Kostić cross inside the opening 15 minutes. Despite a brief spell of pressure from Anderlecht, goalkeeper İrfan Eğribayat kept the visitors at bay, denying Leander Dendoncker’s close-range effort.
Mourinho’s tactical mastery came into play once more as Fener struck against the run of play. Akçiçek dispossessed Tristan Degreef before finding Kostić, whose cutback allowed Edin Džeko to fire home at the second attempt, doubling the lead before halftime.
The hosts put the game beyond doubt before the hour mark when Sebastian Szymański’s pinpoint cross was met by a thunderous header from Youssef En-Nesyri, making it 3-0.
Anderlecht tried to salvage a lifeline late on, with César Huerta forcing Eğribayat into a sprawling save and Théo Leoni narrowly missing from distance. However, Fenerbahçe comfortably saw out the match, leaving their Belgian opponents in desperate need of a miraculous comeback in the second leg.
With one foot already in the next round, Mourinho’s men can begin preparations for a potential showdown with either Rangers or Olympiacos.
