Fenerbahçe Stunned 1-0 by Erzurumspor in Turkey Cup Clash
In a surprising turn of events at Kadıköy Stadium, Fenerbahçe find themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime against underdogs Erzurumspor FK in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası Group C third-round encounter on February 5, 2026. The Yellow Canaries, desperate for a victory to secure their spot in the knockout stages, were caught off guard by a clinical counter from the visitors. As the match unfolds, fans are left pondering if this could be one of those classic cup upsets that define Turkish football.
Pre-Match Buildup and Stakes
Fenerbahçe entered this fixture with high expectations. Sitting in a precarious position in Group C, a win was non-negotiable for Domenico Tedesco's side to advance. The Istanbul giants have been on a rollercoaster in recent weeks, blending domestic Süper Lig ambitions with cup aspirations. Tedesco, in his pre-match comments to broadcasters, highlighted the recent influx of talent, particularly praising new signing N'Golo Kanté. 'Kanté isn't just about quality; his personality and winning mentality make him a joy to have in the squad,' Tedesco said, underscoring the team's bolstered midfield options.
Erzurumspor FK, meanwhile, arrived as the clear underdogs. The eastern Anatolian club has punched above its weight in the cup, aiming to build momentum from their TFF First League campaign. A victory here would not only boost morale but also serve as a statement against one of Turkey's 'Big Three.' The match, broadcast live across Turkish networks, drew massive viewership, with global fans tuning in via streaming platforms.
Team Lineups and Tactical Setup
Fenerbahçe lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, opting for a rotated squad to manage fatigue. Goalkeeper Mert Günok anchored the defense, backed by a youthful backline featuring Kamil Efe, Çağlar Söyüncü, Yiğit Efe, and Oğuz Aydın. In midfield, Álvarez and İsmail Yüksek provided energy, while the attack was led by striker Kerem Aktürkoğlu—a bold choice with his pace and finishing. Notably absent from the starting XI were high-profile benchwarmers like Ederson, Matteo Guendouzi, Anderson Talisca, and Marco Asensio, signaling Tedesco's intent to give minutes to emerging talents.
Erzurumspor's Resilient Formation
The visitors deployed a pragmatic 5-3-2, focusing on solidity. Erkan Kaşçı guarded the posts, with a robust defense including Sylla and Ali Akman. Up front, Mustafa Eskihellac and Hüsamettin Tutumlu posed threats on the break. Nene, the experienced Brazilian, added flair to their midfield, ready to exploit transitions.
This setup played into Erzurumspor's strengths, frustrating Fenerbahçe's possession-based approach early on.
First Half Action: Key Moments Unfold
The whistle blew at 21:00 local time, and Fenerbahçe wasted no time asserting dominance. Just four minutes in, a potential penalty for Kerem Aktürkoğlu was nullified by an offside flag on Umut Nayir Musaba— a VAR review confirmed the call, much to the home crowd's dismay.
At the eighth minute, Fenerbahçe nearly broke the deadlock from a corner. Kerem's precise delivery found Çağlar Söyüncü, whose header sailed just over the bar. The defender, a former Leicester City stalwart, has been pivotal in Fenerbahçe's defensive reshuffle this season.
Erzurumspor's Growing Threat
Erzurumspor responded with intent. In the 15th minute, Hüsamettin Tutumlu's shot from the right edge of the box deflected off the post-Fenerbahçe defense, only for Çağlar to clear it off the line. Three minutes later, a swift counter saw Mustafa Eskihellac's effort ricochet off Sylla and fly wide, with Ali Akman unable to connect at the far post.
The 30-minute mark arrived with the scoreline still level, Fenerbahçe holding 58% possession but struggling to penetrate Erzurumspor's deep block. Fred Enneny came close in the 13th minute, his right-footed strike from the box parried by Erkan, followed by Nene's rebound somehow blocked on the line—a let-off for the visitors.
Musaba had a golden opportunity at the 36th minute, cutting in from the left and unleashing a left-footed shot that curled over the bar. Nene mirrored the miss two minutes later, his deft touch from the left flank nestling into the side netting.
The Game-Changer: Mustafa's Stunner
The turning point came in the 40th minute. Erzurumspor's goalkeeper launched a long ball, which Mert Günok charged out to claim. In the chaos, the ball struck Kamil Efe and looped invitingly. Mustafa, with ice in his veins, controlled it outside the box and rifled a right-footed shot into the empty net—1-0 to the away side. Kadıköy fell silent as Erzurumspor celebrated their opportunistic strike.
The first half limped to a close with two added minutes, Fenerbahçe pushing for an equalizer but unable to find it. Kerem Aktürkoğlu spurned a late chance from Oğuz Aydın's low cross, slicing his volley wide.
Halftime Analysis: What's Going Wrong for Fenerbahçe?
Statistically, Fenerbahçe dominated: 12 shots to Erzurumspor's 5, with 67% possession. Yet, wastefulness upfront and defensive lapses proved costly. Kerem, starting as a false nine, has shown promise but lacked the clinical edge today. The bench's star power—Guendouzi's tenacity, Talisca's creativity, Asensio's dribbling—could be game-changers post-interval.
Erzurumspor's goal exemplified their game plan: absorb pressure and strike on the break. Mustafa's finish was a highlight, drawing comparisons to classic cup poacher strikes. Coach Mustafa Kara's tactics have neutralized Fenerbahçe's flair, forcing errors from Günok and the backline.
For context, Fenerbahçe's cup form has been inconsistent this season, with draws against lesser sides hampering progress. Erzurumspor, conversely, enters this as their biggest scalp yet, potentially galvanizing their league push.
Looking Ahead: Second Half Prospects
As the teams return, expect Tedesco to rally his troops. Substitutions loom large; introducing Kanté could shore up the midfield, while Talisca might unlock the defense. Erzurumspor will aim to park the bus deeper, protecting their lead in this high-stakes affair.
A Fenerbahçe comeback wouldn't be surprising—Kadıköy has witnessed many—but Erzurumspor's resilience suggests a tense finish. With the group stage hanging in the balance, this match could define both clubs' seasons. Stay tuned for live updates as the drama continues.
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