Feyenoord edge past Fenerbahçe in Champions League tie

Rotterdam football club Feyenoord booked a dramatic 2-1 win over Fenerbahçe of Turkey in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie, thanks to a stoppage-time header from Anis Hadj Moussa.

The Turkish side had drawn level shortly before, cancelling out a first-half opener from Quinten Timber. The midfielder was making his return to European competition after missing the end of last season through injury.

The match, held in Rotterdam, was the first competitive outing for Feyenoord under head coach Robin van Persie, who turned 42 on the day of the game. The return leg takes place next Tuesday in Istanbul.

Van Persie had earlier handed the captain’s armband to new signing Sem Steijn, despite Timber’s return to the starting line-up.

Feyenoord’s starting XI featured several new faces. Jordan Bos started at left-back, while Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Anel Ahmedhodzic, signed only a day earlier, took central roles.

Teenager Leo Sauer was tasked with filling the gap left by the departure of Igor Paixão on the left wing. The 19-year-old returned this summer after a loan spell at NAC Breda.

PSV Eindhoven and Ajax of Amsterdam have qualified directly for the group stage of the top tier European competition.