Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray eliminated from UEFA Europa League

ISTANBUL

Turkish teams Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League tournament after losing to rivals in away games on Feb. 21.

Fenerbahçe lost to Russia’s Zenit 3-1 in the 32 round.

Zenit’s Magomed Ozdoev scored an early goal in the 4 minute of the second-leg match in St. Petersburg.

Sardar Azmoun scored in the 37 and 76 minute. Fenerbahçe’s goal came by Mehmet Topal just before halftime in minute 43.

The Turkish club had the advantage going in to the match after blanking Zenit 1-0 at home in the first leg in the second-highest level football competition in Europe.

Galatasaray was eliminated from the after losing to Portugal’s Benfica 2-1 on aggregate in the round of 32 match.

In Lisbon, Benfica advanced to the round of 16 with a goalless draw against Galatasaray.

In the second-highest level football competition in Europe, Benfica had the advantage going into the match at home with a 2-1 win under their belt from their first-leg away match on Feb. 14 in Istanbul.

The Lions are the only Turkish club to have won the UEFA Cup in 1999-2000 and the 2000 UEFA Super Cup, while Benfica won two European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and lost two Europa League finals in 2013 and 2014.

Galatasaray and Benfica were among the eight teams transferring from the UEFA Champions League group stage to the UEFA Europa League.