Rampaging Molde shock Fenerbahçe
Thursday, September 17, 2015
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Fenerbahçe 1-3 Molde
Nani and Robin van Persie were thoroughly upstaged as the plucky Norwegian champions secured a stunning Group A success.
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- Panenka-style penalty from Tommy Høiland puts Molde ahead
- Nani makes it 1-1 with neat finish on the volley
- Mohamed Elyounoussi restores lead with his fifth in seven European games
- Long-range Martin Linnes strike completes shock victory
- Next games: Celtic v Fenerbahçe, Molde v Ajax (1 October)
Fenerbahçe's all-star squad were stunned in their opening UEFA Europa League Group A game, spirited Norwegian champions Molde coming out on top in Istanbul.
The hosts created some decent chances for Robin van Persie in the first half-hour, but were upstaged on 36 minutes after visiting captain Daniel Hestad was fouled in the box. Tommy Høiland stepped up to send a cool, Panenka-style penalty into the centre of the goal as goalkeeper Fabiano dived to his right.
Nani equalised six minutes later, providing a delicate first-time volley to send Raul Meireles's lofted ball into the net, but Molde did not despair. Eight minutes into the second half, Høiland sent in a wicked cross from the right and Mohamed Elyounoussi evaded his marker to power the ball past Fabiano.
Høiland almost put the game to bed on 64 minutes, but his low shot from the right clattered into the post. However, Erling Moe's side did not have to wait too long for their third, right-back Martin Linnes cutting inside from his flank to fire a long-range drive low into the bottom corner with his left foot. Elyounoussi's dismissal for a second booking late on took none of the gloss off a startling result.
Stealing the show
All eyes were on former Manchester United aces Nani and Van Persie, but Høiland and Elyounoussi stole their thunder, the Molde attacking duo proving to be mobile as well as physically imposing. Fenerbahçe's defence seemingly did not know what had hit them.