Benfica Edges Past Mourinho's Fenerbahce To Complete 36-team Champions League Lineup
28 Aug 2025 10:40 AM IST28 Aug 2025 10:40 AM IST
Fenerbahce’s absence now stretches to 17 seasons
Benfica's forward Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu (2R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League play off second leg football match between SL Benfica and Fenerbahce. (Photo by AFP)
Monaco: José Mourinho and Fenerbahce fell short of returning to the Champions League on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at Benfica in the qualifying playoffs on Wednesday.
Benfica — the first club Mourinho coached — had two goals disallowed on video review in the first half before its Turkish forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored with a rising shot in the 35th minute for the only goal over the two legs.
Club Brugge, Copenhagen and Qarabag of Azerbaijan also advanced to complete the 36-team lineup for the league phase, with the draw being made Thursday.
Mourinho is a two-time Champions League winner but has not coached in the main stage of the marquee competition for six seasons. Fenerbahce’s absence now stretches to 17 seasons.
Brugge routed Rangers 6-0 for an aggregate score of 9-1. The Belgian side already had an early lead before Rangers defender Max Aarons was sent off in the eighth minute.
Qarabag is back in the Champions League eight years after its debut campaign, winning 5-4 on aggregate over Ferencvaros despite a 3-2 loss in Baku on Wednesday.
Copenhagen won 2-0 at home to Basel to advance 3-1 on aggregate.
The draw ceremony starts 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) Thursday at a beachside concert hall and conference venue in Monaco.
( Source : AP )
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