Real Sociedad secure quarter‑final as Fenerbahçe’s European dream ends

UWEC Fenerbahçe’s European campaign collapsed on Wednesday when they fell 2‑0 at home in Istanbul, completing a 4‑0 aggregate defeat to Real Sociedad and handing the Spanish side a place in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup quarter‑finals. The Turkish champions entered the round‑of‑16 tie after a historic run but never recovered after an early own‑goal.

Real Sociedad had already secured a 2‑0 advantage from the FIRST LEG on 28 October, with goals from Lezeta in the 58th minute and Ainhoa Marín in the 64th. The SECOND LEG on 11 November saw the Turkish side concede inside the opening minute when Colette Ndzana turned Cecilia Marcos’s cross into her own net. The Spanish side maintained control throughout the second leg.

Keefe's header puts Sociedad ahead

Sonya Keefe doubled Real Sociedad’s lead in the 34th minute with a header from an Intza Eguiguren corner, making the aggregate score 4‑0 at half‑time. Fenerbahçe’s attempts to respond included a long‑range shot by Colette Ndzana in the 19th minute that tested goalkeeper Julia Arrula but failed to threaten.

In the second half, Busem Şeker missed a chance from Mesude Alayont’s delivery in the 58th minute, and three minutes later Suliat Abideen struck from distance only to see her effort rebound off the far post. Despite these efforts, Fenerbahçe could not find the net, and the match ended 2‑0, confirming Real Sociedad’s progression.

The defeat marked the end of Fenerbahçe’s inaugural European campaign, having entered the Women’s Europa Cup after earlier Champions League qualifying, while Real Sociedad, also a former Champions League qualifier, demonstrated the experience gap between the sides. Across both legs, Fenerbahçe showed moments of promise but lacked the precision to convert chances, whereas Real Sociedad were decisive, punishing defensive mistakes. The result concludes Fenerbahçe’s short spell in Europe for the 2026/27 season.