The last round of the Champions League qualifications finally brought some exciting pair: Fenerbahce – Lyon. Two European giants who both had witnessed a sharp decline in recent years faced each other in a battle which will bring them 23 million euros (just for qualifying) and a place in UEFA’s biggest competition. For Lyon, who is financially troubled, the finances would be welcomed, but for Fenerbahce, this aspect is not so important, at least if we count a number of stars playing in the Istanbul team (Guendouzi, Greenwood, Ake, Lukaku, Asensio, Kante. Ederson..). The Turkish giant hasn’t participated in the Champions League since 2008/09 and they need this tie to end in their favour. But after the first game, it looks like they will have to play much, much better in France: Fenerbahce – Lyon 1-1.With so many star players and a fantastic backing of the sellout stadium, the Turkish team failed to win and take at least a minimal advantage before a trip to France. In fact, Lyon and particularly their most experienced player Corentin Tolisso will be disappointing for not taking all three points tonight. Former Bayern Munich midfielder and Lyon’s playmaker was all alone in the penalty area twice and both times produced a poor effort, as the ball went straight to Ederson. The French team took the lead and didn’t brake under the atmosphere and Fener’s attacks after Greenwood’s equalizer. This will be a tough rematch in seven days.Mason Greenwood ne gol attı beee pic.twitter.com/w9YD3mYxOL— Saraçoğlu Sports (@SaracogluSports) August 18, 2026 Muriqi had the first (and only) chance for the hosts in the first half. Guendouzi won the ball high up the pitch and played a one-two with Semedo before delivering a cross onto Muriqi's head! Lyon got away with that one in the eight minute. However, after the first 15 minutes of the match, Fenerbahce lost its initiative. The Turks were struggling to make progress, while Lyon were winning the ball back higher and higher up the pitch. Without, however, creating any more danger so the game got a bit dull at that point. But in the 38th minute the guests took a surprising lead. After a favorable counter-attack, Tessmann layed the ball off to Tolisso on the right. The OL playmaker whipped in a low cross and Openda dived and heads it into the net – 1:0.Lukaku's Turkish blockbuster is official – €10m salary awaits!But as soon as the second half started, the hosts managed to equalize. And off course, it was Mason Greenwood. In the 48th minute, he got the ball after a counter attack, passed Abner, cut inside onto his left foot and fired the ball into the far top corner! Openda and Tolisso will have nightmares after their miss in the 51st minute. The Belgian striker managed to strike the bar, and when the ball came back, Tolisso was all alone in the heart of the penalty area, but his shot was terribly weak and went straight at Ederson. After that the game lost it’s liveliness just like in the first half, until Nene struck and shook the bar in the 80th minute. Fenerbahce’s biggest signing so far, Romelu Lukaku was introduced ten minutes from time, but failed to impress in such a short period. On the other side it was Tolisso again who missed a great opportunity, his second tonight. Again alone in the penalty area and again his shot ended straight at Ederson.##NAJAVA_MECA_9902119##
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