Fenerbahce exits Women's Europa Cup after defeat to Real Sociedad

Fenerbahce arsaVev Women's Football Team bowed out of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup in the round of 16 after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Spain's Real Sociedad in Istanbul on Wednesday, Nov. 11, bringing its first European campaign to an end with a 4-0 aggregate loss.

Having lost the first leg by the same scoreline, the Turkish champions were unable to overturn the deficit at Chobani Stadium, also known as the Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Sports Complex, despite playing in front of a large home crowd.

Nahia Aparicio Jaular (4) of Real Sociedad in action against Andrea Staskova (R) of Fenerbahce arsaVev during the second leg of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup round of 16 match between Fenerbahce arsaVev and Real Sociedad in Istanbul, Türkiye on November 11, 2026. (AA Photo)

Early own goal puts Fenerbahce on back foot

Real Sociedad took the lead just two minutes into the match when Fenerbahce defender Colette Ndzana inadvertently turned a cross from the left flank into her own net.

Ndzana nearly made amends in the 19th minute with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but the visiting goalkeeper pushed her shot away for a corner.

The Spanish side doubled their advantage in the 34th minute as Sonya Keefe headed home from a corner, leaving Fenerbahce trailing 2-0 at halftime.

The hosts attempted to fight back after the break, with Busem Seker sending a close-range effort wide in the 58th minute before Abideen struck the post three minutes later. Yagmur also found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper late in the match but could not convert the opportunity.

Players of Real Sociedad celebrate a goal during the second leg of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup round of 16 match between Fenerbahce arsaVev and Real Sociedad in Istanbul, Türkiye on November 11, 2026. (AA Photo)

Historic European debut ends

Fenerbahce earned its first European qualification after securing the club's maiden women's league title last season.

Its continental campaign began in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League, where the team defeated Metalist 1925 Kharkiv 2-1 before losing 4-2 on penalties to Belgium's OH Leuven in the final of a qualifying mini-tournament.

The Istanbul club subsequently moved into the UEFA Women's Europa Cup, overcoming Belarusian side Minsk with a 4-1 away victory and a 1-0 home win to reach the round of 16.

However, consecutive 2-0 defeats against Real Sociedad ended its European run.

Fenerbahce will now turn its attention back to domestic competition, with an away fixture against Bakirkoy Women's Football Club scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, in the 11th round of the Turkish Women's Super League.

November 12, 2026 09:27 AM GMT+03:00