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Fenerbahce wrapped up its UEFA Europa League league-phase campaign in 19th place after drawing 1-1 away at Romania’s FCSB, a result that lifted the Istanbul club’s total to 12 points and booked a spot in the round-of-16 play-off.
The opponent will be confirmed in today’s draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where Fenerbahce will be paired with either England’s Nottingham Forest or Czechia’s Viktoria Plzen.
Playing at the National Arena in Bucharest, Fenerbahce went ahead in the 19th minute when Ismail Yuksek headed in from a corner delivered by Kerem Akturkoglu. The visitors carried that advantage into the break, and they continued to hold on as the match opened up after half-time.
FCSB drew level in the 71st minute through Cisotti, and the game ended 1-1, leaving the Romanian side on seven points and out of European competition.
Fenerbahce goalkeeper Ederson played a central role in seeing the team through, turning away a series of clear chances.
He kept out four notable opportunities in the first half and then followed it up with three more in the second, helping the visitors protect their position even as FCSB pushed for more.
The opener also marked a personal milestone for Ismail Yuksek, who scored his first goal in the group or league phase of a European competition.
The midfielder had previously found the net twice in European matches, but both goals had come in qualifying rounds rather than in the main league-stage format.
The match was watched by 27,752 spectators at the 55,600-capacity National Arena. Fenerbahce supporters filled the full away allocation, while many FCSB fans stayed away, with the report linking empty sections to protests directed at the club’s management.
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