Nottingham Forest’s Europa League campaign took a decisive turn as Vitor Pereira oversaw a commanding 3-0 away victory against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, putting the Tricky Trees firmly in control of their knockout playoff tie. Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White powered Forest to one of their most impressive performances of the season, booking them a near-certain Europa League last-16 spot heading into the second leg at the City Ground on February 26.
Pereira’s Perfect Europa League Debut
Appointed just four days before the Fenerbahce clash as the club’s fourth manager of a turbulent season, Vitor Pereira could not have asked for a more emphatic start. Despite the short preparation time, the Portuguese coach made two measured changes to the starting line-up — recalling defender Murillo from injury and bringing in Igor Jesus in attack.
From kick-off, Forest looked sharp, well-organised, and full of intent. Pereira later revealed he had simply asked his players to “express themselves,” and they delivered beyond all expectations. Forest produced 2.86 expected goals from 23 shots compared to Fenerbahce’s meagre 0.48 from just six attempts — a statistical display that underlined complete Europa League dominance throughout the evening in Istanbul.
Murillo Opens the Scoring in Stunning Style
The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute through the most unlikely of sources. Centre-back Murillo collected the ball just beyond the halfway line, drove forward past several Fenerbahce challenges, and fired an unstoppable long-range effort into the bottom-right corner. It was a goal that silenced the Ulker Stadyumu crowd and set the tone for the Europa League evening. Fenerbahce appealed for a penalty moments later after the ball struck Murillo’s arm, but VAR reviewed the incident and overturned the appeal, ruling the contact was not deliberate.
Igor Jesus and Gibbs-White Complete the Europa League Rout
Forest’s second arrived just before half-time through a set-piece move. Morgan Gibbs-White flicked on a corner, and Igor Jesus was perfectly positioned at the back post to head firmly into the net. Jesus’s tally for the Europa League campaign now stands at seven goals — the most by any Forest player in a single major European campaign in the club’s history, and the highest total of any player across the entire 2025-26 Europa League so far.
The Brazilian striker then turned provider early in the second half, driving past defenders and squaring across the box for Gibbs-White to tap home a third goal that killed the tie as a contest. Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson were outstanding in midfield throughout, ensuring Fenerbahce — a side featuring N’Golo Kanté, Marco Asensio, and Matteo Guendouzi — were never allowed to establish rhythm or build pressure in the Europa League contest.
What the Europa League Result Means for Forest
Carrying a 3-0 aggregate lead into the second leg at the City Ground on February 26, Nottingham Forest are all but guaranteed a place in the Europa League round of 16, where they are set to face either Real Betis or Midtjylland.
The result is also timely for the club’s Premier League survival push, with Pereira’s fresh ideas and renewed confidence visibly lifting a squad that had appeared to be losing direction. For Fenerbahce, the Europa League first leg was a chastening experience against a side they would have expected to challenge. Their manager must now devise a way to overturn the three-goal deficit in a single leg — a task that represents an enormous challenge at the City Ground.
Written by 8JJ.com News Desk | February 24, 2026
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