Union Saint-Gilloise were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Fenerbahçe on Thursday night in Istanbul, in what was a dramatic Europa League group stage match that ended with both teams down to ten men.
The match started energetically for Union, with Franjo Ivanovic missing a chance to connect with a cross just three minutes in. Ivanovic struck the post in the 17th minute after bypassing an opponent with two dummys.
Despite Union's promising start, it was Fenerbahçe who scored first. Following a well-planned corner routine, Caglar Soyuncu found the back of the net with a clever lob over Anthony Moris in the 26th minute.
Fenerbahçe dominated the second half, with Youssef En-Nesyri creating three good chances. He shot over the bar in the 48th minute, forced Charles Vanhoutte to clear off the line from a corner in the 54th, and challenged Moris with a header in the 71st minute.
Union struggled to contain the pressure and saw Kevin Mac Allister directly sent off for a foul on En-Nesyri in the 73rd minute.
Fenerbahçe doubled their lead in the 82nd minute, courtesy of an own goal by Christian Burgess, who accidentally put the ball in his own net following a save by Moris.
The game took another twist when Osayi-Samuel conceded a penalty and was subsequently sent off in the 90th minute. However, Ivanovic’s penalty was saved by fellow Croatian Dominik Livakovic. Ross Sykes managed to pull one back for Union in the 93rd minute, capitalising on Ivanovic’s shot that rebounded off the post.
Union's players after losing to Turkish side Fenerbahce SK in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday 26 September 2024, on the opening day of the League phase of the UEFA Europa League tournament. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
"‘It was a difficult game,’ Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho said in French in the post-match interview to RTBF. "In the first half, Union were stronger but we managed to score. In the second half, we played very, very well."
Union Saint-Gilloise will host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt at the King Baudouin Stadium on 3 October for their next group stage match.
