‘I cannot believe my eyes’ – Nottingham Forest fans stunned at what Vitor Pereira did vs Fenerbahce

Nottingham Forest fans were left in disbelief as new manager Vitor Pereira orchestrated a stunning 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League playoff first leg on February 19, 2026, at Istanbul's Chobani Stadyumu.[1][2]

Pereira, taking charge of Forest for the first time after a chaotic season that saw him as the fourth manager, delivered a dream debut. His side dominated the Turkish giants, putting one foot in the last-16 with goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White.[1] Fans flooded social media with reactions like "I cannot believe my eyes," stunned by the comprehensive performance against a hostile crowd in a stadium Pereira knows well from his two prior spells managing Fenerbahce.[1]

Forest silenced the whistling supporters early, grabbing a deserved lead in the 21st minute through Murillo's strike. A tense moment arrived before halftime when Fenerbahce's Talisca hit the post and then saw a VAR handball check against Murillo dismissed as the defender's arm was deemed in a natural position—pivotal in maintaining the clean sheet.[1]

In the 43rd minute, Morgan Gibbs-White flicked on Elliot Anderson's corner, allowing Igor Jesus to nod home from close range for 2-0. Gibbs-White then sealed the rout with Forest's third, celebrating wildly amid the away end's eruption.[1][2]

This emphatic win boosts confidence ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, where Pereira's primary task remains avoiding relegation. Barring disaster in the City Ground second leg, Forest eye a last-16 tie against Real Betis or Midtjylland. Supporters hailed Pereira's tactics: "From chaos to class overnight—what a masterclass!" The Portuguese coach negated early hostility, taking the game by the scruff of the neck in free-scoring fashion.[1]

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