Fenerbahce came from behind twice to beat Liverpool 3-2 in a thrilling Champions League clash in Istanbul on Wednesday, ending the English side’s perfect start to this season’s competition.
Vedat Muriqi scored the winning goal in the 79th minute, completing a stunning six-minute turnaround that gave Fenerbahce their first Champions League victory in more than 18 years.
How the goals unfolded
Liverpool took the lead in the 25th minute through Trey Nyoni, whose strike — the young midfielder’s first senior goal for the club — put the visitors ahead. The lead lasted just four minutes: Mason Greenwood equalised in the 29th minute to send the teams into half-time level at 1-1.
Substitute Alexander Isak restored Liverpool’s advantage in the 69th minute, heading home shortly after coming on. Again, the lead lasted only minutes. Archie Brown levelled in the 73rd minute, and Muriqi completed the comeback six minutes later, outjumping his markers to head home the winner.
It was Fenerbahce’s first Champions League win since 2 April 2008, when they beat Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Kuyt gets one over his former club
The result was particularly special for Fenerbahce’s interim manager Dirk Kuyt, who spent six years at Liverpool as a player and was taking charge of the Turkish side for only the second time. Kuyt’s team had gone into the match without a win in this season’s competition, with two draws and a defeat from their opening three matches.
Liverpool, by contrast, had arrived in Istanbul with three wins from three and were chasing a fourth straight victory that would have kept them among the early pacesetters.
What it means for the standings
The defeat leaves Liverpool on nine points from four matches, in fifth place in the 36-team league phase, having dropped points for the first time this season. Fenerbahce climb to 19th on five points, breathing new life into their campaign to survive beyond the league phase.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola pointed to defending as the decisive factor, telling his post-match press conference: “The main reason I can find to lose the game is we conceded [from] three set-pieces.”
What comes next
For Liverpool, the defeat is a setback rather than a crisis — nine points from four games still leaves them well placed — but it exposes a defensive vulnerability that better-organised opponents will now look to exploit. For Fenerbahce, a famous night against one of Europe’s biggest clubs could be the result that turns their European season around.
Related on Emadan News: Real Madrid vs Liverpool: How the Champions League Match Unfolded on November 4, Liverpool and Manchester City Survive Penalty Shoot-Outs to Reach League Cup Quarter-Finals, and Erik ten Hag: Manchester United’s Relegation Risk, Leicester’s Relegation, and His Sacking.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score between Fenerbahce and Liverpool?
Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League league phase on 4 November 2026.
Who scored for Fenerbahce?
Mason Greenwood (29th minute), Archie Brown (73rd minute) and Vedat Muriqi (79th minute).
Who scored for Liverpool?
Trey Nyoni (25th minute) and substitute Alexander Isak (69th minute).
When did Fenerbahce last win a Champions League match before this?
Their previous Champions League victory came on 2 April 2008, against Chelsea.
Sources
- Reuters: Valverde rescues Real; Liverpool lose at Fenerbahce
- Liverpool FC: Liverpool v Fenerbahce Champions League match report
- A News: Fenerbahce stun Liverpool for first Champions League win in 18 years
