Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma: Solid point for Roma in Istanbul
Quick summary
Roma earned a 1-1 draw away at Fenerbahce in a UEFA Champions League group stage match in Istanbul.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma open the Champions League campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce, as Bryan Cristante’s opener was cancelled out by Archie Brown.
The Giallorossi returned to the tournament after seven years and coming off three consecutive Serie A victories. Only Lorenzo Pellegrini was still out of action . Devyne Rensch was back, with Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé.
Fenerbahce’s last Champions League proper game was 18 years ago, but Matteo Guendouzi was suspended after insulting French fans during the fiery play-off with Lyon. Jayden Oosterwolde and Marco Asensio were injured, with ex-Serie A players Milan Skriniar, Romelu Lukaku and Mert Muldur in the squad, plus Mason Greenwood, who chose the Turkish side over Roma this summer.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: A TIFO of Frankenstein’s Monster is displayed by fans as players of AS Roma line up before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) The Italians dominated possession early on, but it was the hosts who stung Mile Svilar’s gloves with a Kerem Akturkoglu counter-attack, while Dybala stung Ederson’s gloves at the near post.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Ismael Yuksek made a decisive tackle on Malen inside the penalty area, but Roma had the breakthrough when Malen cut inside from the left and laid it off for Bryan Cristante to drill right-footed through a sea of legs into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
“The captain silences Şükrü Saracoğlu”
Bryan Cristante give Roma the lead just before half-time pic.twitter.com/EFPuzfSe9d
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
It could’ve been 2-0 moments later, but Wesley hit a fresh-air volley from 12 yards on the Dybala cross from the right.
Fenerbahce equalised at the dawn of the second half, as Archie Brown sprung the offside trap on a smart Greenwood disguised pass through the centre, dinking a delicate finish over on-rushing Svilar.
“And Brown tucks it away with terrific confidence”
Archie Brown equalises for hosts just after half-time
Watch now on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/20upGizsi1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 10, 2026
They threatened a second moments later, Svilar sprinting off his line to narrow the angle on Muriqi after a N’Golo Kante slide-rule pass.
Dybala had penalty appeals rejected for a Milan Skriniar shirt tug, while Greenwood hit the side-netting after shrugging off Wesley and Malen fired over from a tricky angle on the Soulé assist.
Roma thought they had a penalty on 68 minutes when Dybala was tripped by Kerim Aktarkoglu, but VAR showed the contact was just outside the area.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Moments later, Wesley was also brought down inches outside the box, but this time there wasn’t even a free kick to show for it.
Romelu Lukaku came on and within 60 seconds had rolled across for Oguz Aydin’s deflected effort, forcing Svilar into a desperate save with cat-like reflexes.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Donyell Malen of AS Roma is challenged by Ismail Yuksek of Fenerbahce during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Dybala’s solo finish was too weak to trouble Ederson, but Fenerbahce were fresher as the game wore on and Nathan Ake’s header on a free kick thumped the frame of the goal, with Brown offside on the rebound.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma Cristante 39 (R), Brown 48 (F)
10-09-2026 17:45
MatchDay 1
Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium (Chobani Stadium)
Fenerbahçe
Roma
Live 1 - 1
Player statistic
1st half
39'
Bryan Cristante (Assist: Donyell Malen)
2nd half
47'
Devyne Rensch
Archie Brown (Assist: Mason Greenwood)
48'
Archie Brown
51'
Kerem Aktürkoglu
69'
Mert Müldür
71'
Ismail Yüksek
84'
86'
Bryan Cristante
Fenerbahçe
Roma
Starting lineups
31
Ederson Goalkeeper
3
Archie Brown Defender
18
Mert Müldür Defender
37
Milan Skriniar Defender
15
Nathan Aké Defender
28
Bartug Elmaz Midfielder
62'
5
Ismail Yüksek Midfielder
91
N’Golo Kanté Midfielder
7
Kerem Aktürkoglu Attacker
72'
11
Mason Greenwood Attacker
19
Vedat Muriqi Attacker
72'
99
Mile Svilar Goalkeeper
2
Devyne Rensch Defender
74'
5
Evan Ndicka Defender
23
Gianluca Mancini Defender
75'
22
Mario Hermoso Defender
43
Wesley Defender
4
Bryan Cristante Midfielder
17
Manu Koné Midfielder
53'
14
Donyell Malen Attacker
87'
18
Matìas Soulé Attacker
74'
21
Paulo Dybala Attacker
Substitutes
27
Nélson Semedo Defender
17
Irfan Can Kahveci Attacker
34
Mert Günok Goalkeeper
45
Dorgeles Nene Attacker
14
Yigit Efe Demir Defender
77
Ognjen Mimovic Defender
21
Kojo Peprah Oppong Defender
13
Tarik Cetin Goalkeeper
22
Levent Mercan Midfielder
62'
9
Romelu Lukaku Attacker
72'
70
Oğuz Aydın Attacker
72'
95
Pierluigi Gollini Goalkeeper
3
Konstantinos Koulierakis Defender
87
Daniele Ghilardi Defender
9
Santiago Castro Attacker
70
Giorgio De Marzi Goalkeeper
77
Emanuele Lulli Defender
61
Niccolò Pisilli Midfielder
53'
20
Nahuel Molina Defender
74'
86
Rodrigo Mora Midfielder
74'
26
Leonardo Balerdi Defender
75'
15
Marten de Roon Midfielder
87'
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What happened
Roma secured a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in Istanbul in a UEFA Champions League fixture. The result gives Roma a solid away point in their European campaign. Fenerbahce, playing at home, shared the spoils in a tightly contested match. The draw has implications for the group standings as both clubs continue their pursuit of qualification.
Chance analysis
Roma's draw in Istanbul represents a respectable result given the hostile environment at Fenerbahce's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, where Turkish sides traditionally make life difficult for visiting teams. A point away from home in the Champions League group stage keeps Roma's qualification hopes alive, though they will likely need to be more clinical in front of goal to secure a top finish. For Fenerbahce, the dropped points at home could prove costly depending on how the group develops, and they'll need to find wins elsewhere to advance.
The draw keeps Roma in contention for UCL progression but neither side gained ground on group leaders.