Fenerbahce and Benfica Battle to 0-0 Draw

Fenerbahce and Benfica Battle to 0-0 Draw 

The highly anticipated Champions League playoff match between Fenerbahce and Benfica ended in a 0-0 draw. Read more about the match highlights and upcoming fixtures.

Fenerbahce's quest to qualify for the UEFA Champions League main draw for the first time since 2008/09 hangs in the balance after a 0-0 draw against Benfica in the first leg of the playoff. The match, held at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, was marked by a hostile atmosphere, with Benfica players being continuously booed by the home crowd while in possession.

Despite being reduced to 10 men after Florentino's dismissal for two yellow cards, Benfica held firm against Fenerbahce's attacks. The visitors created some promising chances but couldn't capitalize on them. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, struggled to break down Benfica's solid defense, failing to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.

What's Next 

The draw means that Benfica has a slight edge going into the return leg in Lisbon, where Fenerbahce will need to score at least one goal to progress to the next round. The Turkish side will be looking to harness their home advantage and overcome Benfica's defensive solidity to achieve their goal of reaching the Champions League group stage.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Fenerbahçe taking the initiative. However, as the game progressed, Benfica asserted their dominance, though neither team managed to create many clear-cut chances. The highlight of the early stages came when Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu's long-range free-kick forced a save from Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin.

Half time: Fenerbahçe 0-0 Benfica #UCL #FBvSLB pic.twitter.com/IHLpOImQuO

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 20, 2025

The match remained tightly contested, with both teams vying for control but struggling to find the breakthrough.

As the first half drew to a close, Fenerbahce intensified their attacks, putting Benfica's goalkeeper to work with several shots on target. This surge in activity provided some optimism for the home side, despite the overall lack of significant scoring opportunities in an otherwise uneventful first half.

Fenerbahçe kicked off the second half with confidence, continuing to press forward despite struggling to create clear-cut chances against Benfica's solid defense. Meanwhile, Benfica's recent form had suggested they might break the deadlock, having scored by the 60th minute in each of their four competitive outings this season. However, as the match ticked past the hour mark, the score remained goalless.

Jose Mourinho introduced Anderson Talisca to inject new energy into the match, with the Brazilian substitute looking to redeem himself after missing a penalty in Fenerbahce's recent draw with Goztepe. Talisca's impact was felt within four minutes of his introduction when he skillfully beat Florentino Luis, leading to the Benfica player's second yellow card and subsequent dismissal.

With Benfica reduced to 10 men, Fenerbahce sensed an opportunity to break the deadlock. In the dying moments of the match, Youssef En-Nesyri seemed to have scored after reacting quickly to a loose ball following a Trubin mistake. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, preserving the 0-0 scoreline and leaving the tie wide open heading into the second leg.

Despite gaining a man advantage after Benfica's Florentino Luis was sent off, Fenerbahce couldn't capitalize on the numerical superiority to break the deadlock. Benfica, meanwhile, secured their fifth clean sheet of the campaign, showcasing their defensive resilience. The 0-0 draw means the tie is far from over, with Fenerbahce looking to overcome the hurdle of a third UCL playoff defeat in the second leg.