Slavia Praha strike late to deny Fenerbahçe after rapid start

Match overview

Fenerbahçe and Slavia Praha shared four goals and a point apiece in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in the third round of the Champions League League Stage.

The home side made a blistering opening. Oğuz Aydın put Fenerbahçe ahead in the fourth minute with a left-footed finish, assisted by Milan Škriniar. Mason Greenwood then doubled the advantage seven minutes later, converting with his right foot after Nélson Semedo’s assist.

Slavia Praha responded quickly rather than allowing the match to drift away. Lukáš Provod struck with his right foot in the 15th minute to make it 2-1, ensuring the contest remained alive through to the interval.

A late swing

The second half produced no further Fenerbahçe goal, despite the hosts recording 15 shots and four on target across the match. Slavia Praha matched those totals exactly, also registering 15 attempts and four efforts on target.

Both teams used all five available substitutions. Fenerbahçe introduced Romelu Lukaku and Dorgeles Nene in the 63rd minute, while Slavia made two changes a minute earlier and continued to alter its side later in the half.

The decisive late moment arrived in the 90th minute. Pavel Kacor, introduced in the 85th minute, finished with his right foot from Emmanuel Ayaosi’s assist to level the score at 2-2. It was a reward for Slavia’s persistence after falling two goals behind in the opening stages.

Fine margins in the numbers

The overall figures underline how closely the match was contested. Slavia held 51% possession to Fenerbahçe’s 49% and completed 354 successful passes from 426 attempts. Fenerbahçe completed 342 of 414, with both sides posting an 83% pass-completion rate.

Fenerbahçe did create the larger volume of dangerous attacks, 47 to 40, and won 61 duels compared with Slavia’s 41. The home side also led in successful dribbles, 10 to six, and interceptions, 20 to 14. Slavia, however, created two big chances to Fenerbahçe’s one and did not miss either of them, while the hosts missed their single big chance.

There was little to separate the teams in the final third: each recorded nine shots from inside the box, six from outside it and two goalkeeper saves. Slavia had the edge in corners, five to three, and accurate crosses, five to one.

Key performers

Greenwood was named Player of the Match with a rating of 7.66 after scoring Fenerbahçe’s second goal. For Slavia, Provod earned a 7.43 rating after his first-half goal, while Kacor received 7.37 following his late equaliser. Ayaosi, who provided the assist for that final strike, was rated 7.26.

Fenerbahçe’s fast start gave them a platform, but Slavia Praha’s response and final-minute intervention ensured the Champions League points were shared.