Fenerbahce too strong! Sturm's Champions League dream shattered

Sturm Graz must bury their Champions League dream; the Styrians lose the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League against Fenerbahce Istanbul 0-1, which is not enough for progression after the 0-2 first-leg defeat.

In the opening phase, the match in front of an excellent crowd is balanced, but Fenerbahce has the first good chance. Marco Asensio sets up Talisca brilliantly, but Sturm goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov gets his fingers to it and saves the hosts from an early deficit.

After that, the Turks control the game, albeit without rushing in attack. After 25 minutes, the Istanbul club still has another prime opportunity to take the lead, but again it requires a strong save from Khudyakov, who keeps out a shot from Kerem Aktürkoglu.

Sturm improves, but without real threat

Subsequently, the Graz side improves, first Seedy Jatta heads over at the far post, then Axel Kayombo shoots past the goal. Sturm also has several free-kicks from good positions, but poses far too little danger from them.

A few minutes before the break, captain Jon Gorenc-Stankovic also has a headed chance, but he can't get enough power behind the ball with his header.

In the second half, Sturm initially continues where they left off before the break; Brown prevents the Turks from falling behind with an attentive save, while Kayombo narrowly misses connecting with a cross from Arjan Malic.

Penalty decides the match

Subsequently, Fenerbahce is dominant again, Talisca shoots over after an hour. A few minutes later, the Brazilian striker is back in focus; he is fouled in the box by Petar Petrovic, and he himself converts the resulting penalty, sending Khudyakov the wrong way into the right corner and then safely shooting into the left corner (66').

A phase with many substitutions and little flow of play follows; a quarter of an hour before the end, substitute Belmin Beganovic has a good chance to equalize, but Fener goalkeeper Mert Günok makes a distinguished save.

That was it for the Styrians' offensive opportunities, however. Instead, Aktürkoglu has the chance to make it 2-0 on the counter, but Sturm's best player on the day saves the hosts from an even heavier defeat.

In the end, it is a deserved progression for Fenerbahce over both legs, and they will now face the winner of the duel between Sparta Prague and Olympique Lyon in the final qualifying round. Sturm, on the other hand, is directly qualified for the Europa League.