Fenerbahçe opens the door to advancement with 2-0 win over Sturm Graz at Kadıköy

Fenerbahçe defeated Sturm Graz 2-0 at Kadıköy in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, with goals from Talisca and Greenwood. The yellow-and-navy side enters the return match with a two-goal advantage, positioning themselves favorably.

Recall that Fenerbahçe last qualified for the Champions League group stage in the 2023-24 season; this victory carries substantial weight for the club's finances: guaranteed passage to the group stage means hundreds of millions of euros in additional revenue. Despite Sturm Graz's strong performance in the Austrian league this season, they were unable to find their rhythm at Kadıköy. The return leg will be played in Graz; Fenerbahçe will advance to the next round with any result except a draw or a loss by fewer than two goals.