AFCON 2025
Fenerbahce are in pole position to qualify for the round of sixteen of the Europa League after a comfortable home victory over Anderlecht.
Jose Mourinho‘s men put three unreplied goals past their visitors on Thursday night at the Ulker Stadium.
Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel was in action for 45 minutes.
He came off at halftime after picking up a yellow which will see him miss the second leg.
Nevertheless, Fenerbahce controlled and dominated proceedings from the blast of the first whistle.
Former Ajax captain Dusan Tardic gave Fenerbahce the lead 11 minutes into the match with a close range in the box from Yusuf Akcicek’s cross.
Anderlecht came close to equalising in the 27th minute but Irfan Egribayat pulled a sublime save to stop Andryelson’s header.
Former Manchester City striker striker Dzeko scored from a rebound in the 42nd minute to give the home side a two-goal lead.
Youssef En Nesyri increased the lead before the hour mark from close range after latching unto a pass from Sebastian Syzmanski.
Serbian defender Filip Kostic made an attempt at a fourth goal but Colin Coosemans leaped to save his well-placed goal-bound shot.
The match ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Jose Mourinho’s men as they look to consolidate on it ahead of the second leg in Belgium next week.
