Fenerbahçe firepower leaves Salzburg reeling

Fenerbahçe SK recovered from a goal down to beat FC Salzburg 3-1 in Istanbul – a result that sent them into the play-off stage of the UEFA Champions League with a 4-2 aggregate triumph.

Jonathan Soriano shot the visitors ahead early on but that only seemed to motivate the Yellow Canaries, who hit back almost immediately through Raul Meireles. Moussa Sow then gave the Turkish side the lead for the first time in the tie before Pierre Webó extended their advantage. Salzburg, who had been pegged back by an injury-time equaliser in the first leg, sought to mount a comeback of their own in the second period but found no way past home custodian Volkan Demirel.

The Austrian team's disappointment contrasted with their initial optimism as they started with a goal, Kevin Kampl setting up captain Soriano for the simplest of finishes from the first meaningful attack of the game. Just four minutes later, though, Meireles took centre stage with a spectacular equaliser. Teed up by Dirk Kuyt, the Portuguese midfielder unleashed an unstoppable volley from 25 metres that clipped the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the net.

Kuyt was the provider again as Fenerbahçe got a second, gathering a Webó flick before stabbing the ball into the path of Sow; the latter controlled deftly and guided a finish into the far corner. Ersun Yanal's hosts were now rampant in this third qualifying round decider and added a third on 34 minutes, Webó clipping over the advancing Péter Gulácsi following Sow's clever first-time pass.

Roger Schmidt's Salzburg fought valiantly after the restart yet were unable to outdo the formidable Volkan, who denied Alan and Kampl to ensure his club a place in the play-offs.