Slavia Prague snatch late equalizer to hold Fenerbahce 2-2 in Champions League

By Halis Sunnetci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Slavia Prague came from two goals down to salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw against Fenerbahce on Tuesday, with substitute Pavel Kacor scoring a 90th-minute equalizer in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul.

Fenerbahce, looking to recover from a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week, made a flying start and took the lead just four minutes into the match through Oguz Aydin.

The Turkish winger collected the ball on the right flank, cut inside and curled a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area into the top left corner, with goalkeeper Jakub Markovic unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to the ball.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 11th minute when Nelson Semedo found Mason Greenwood unmarked near the edge of the box.

The English forward controlled the ball with his first touch before firing a powerful shot from inside the area to make it 2-0.

However, Slavia Prague responded just four minutes later, capitalizing on a costly mistake by Matteo Guendouzi.

After receiving a goal kick from Ederson, the French midfielder misplaced his pass directly to Slavia captain Lukas Provod, who raced clear and calmly finished past the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Fenerbahce continued to create opportunities, with Guendouzi firing narrowly wide in the 28th minute before Aydin struck the side netting with a powerful effort nine minutes later.

Vedat Muriqi also threatened just before halftime, controlling Archie Brown's cross at the far post before forcing Markovic into a save from a tight angle.

The Turkish side went into the break leading 2-1.

Fenerbahce introduced Romelu Lukaku and Dorgeles Nene in the 63rd minute, and the substitutes nearly combined for a third goal immediately.

Lukaku won possession high up the pitch and delivered a cross to Nene, whose powerful effort was denied by an excellent diving save from Markovic.

The visitors gradually increased their attacking pressure, with Ederson denying Ayaosi in the 80th minute, before Lukaku fired over the crossbar from a tight angle two minutes later.

Slavia defender David Zima also tested Ederson with an effort from outside the penalty area in the closing stages.

Fenerbahce appeared set to secure their first Champions League victory of the season, but Slavia struck in the 90th minute through Pavel Kacor, who had come off the bench just five minutes earlier.

Ayaosi found space on the right and delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where substitute Pavel Kacor poked the ball home to complete the visitors' comeback.

The result left Fenerbahce with two points from three Champions League matches after surrendering their early two-goal lead, while Slavia Prague earned their first point of the league phase.

Halis Sünnetci