Sevilla CF has faced Fenerbahce multiple times across European competitions, with the rivalry carrying weight in the Nervión camp. Their most scrutinized encounter occurred in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, a tie that left a mark on both sides. At that moment, Sevilla arrived as holders of back-to-back UEFA Cup titles and sat atop their group, which included Arsenal, Steaua Bucharest, and Slavia Prague. The draw suggested a relatively favorable path, but the journey proved far from easy.
The first leg in Istanbul ended 3-2 in favor of Fenerbahce, a tightly contested match in which the Turkish side struck first on three occasions, with goals from Kezman, Lugano, and Semih Şentürk. Sevilla, though, demonstrated resilience, equalizing twice and setting the stage for a dramatic second leg back in Seville.
The return leg started with urgency as Sevilla raced to a 2-0 lead inside the opening ten minutes through goals from Dani Alves and Keita, reviving the prospect of a swift, decisive win. Yet the Turkish outfit leveled the aggregate score with Deivid scoring to narrow the deficit, and a late strike from Kanouté restored calm for Sevilla as the clock wound down. The match then extended into extra time with no further change on the scoreboard, pushing the outcome toward a penalty shootout. Fenerbahce ultimately advanced, thanks to a series of spot saves from Volkan Demirel that kept Sevilla’s shooters off balance and thwarted Dani Alves, while Sevilla could not convert their own attempts.
Beyond that famous duel, Sevilla’s record against Turkish clubs has been a blend of ups and downs. Their campaign against Eskişehirspor in the 1971 Fairs Cup featured a defeat in the first round, while recent meetings include a decisive Europa League group-stage win over Akhisarspor in 2018 with scores of 6-0 and 2-3, and a 1-2 and 2-2 aggregate success against Istanbul Basaksehir in the 2017 Champions League qualifiers. The history underscores the recurring theme of tough, unpredictable encounters when Sevilla meets Turkish sides on the European stage, often testing nerve as well as skill for both teams.
Ultimately, Sevilla’s clashes with Fenerbahce in European competition remain a defining chapter in their continental narrative, a reminder of how quickly momentum can swing in two-legged ties and how penalties can seal a dramatic fate. The memory endures in discussions of the club’s European journeys and serves as a benchmark for future encounters in both the Champions League and the Europa League loop.
Cited reference: Goal