Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma: Brown cancels out Cristante as both return to Champions League (full highlights)

A cagey Champions League opener at the Ulker Stadium saw Fenerbahce and Roma play out a 1-1 draw, with both clubs marking their long-awaited returns to Europe's elite competition with a share of the spoils. Roma, back in the Champions League after a one-year absence, took the lead on 39 minutes through Bryan Cristante, who fired a low drive into the far corner from the edge of the box after a clever run and pass from Donyell Malen. The visitors controlled much of the first half, with Malen and Paulo Dybala both testing Ederson. But Fenerbahce, playing their first Champions League match in 18 years, responded immediately after the break. Mason Greenwood, who had been quiet in the first half, received the ball on the edge of the area, turned towards goal and threaded a perfectly weighted through-ball for Archie Brown, who raced clear and dinked a composed finish over the advancing Mile Svilar. The Greenwood-Brown combination had already proven decisive in Fenerbahce's qualifying victory over Lyon, and it delivered again on the biggest stage. Roma pushed for a winner, and referee Jesus Gil Manzano initially awarded a penalty on 68 minutes for a foul on Dybala, but overturned his decision after a VAR review. In the closing stages, Roma's goalkeeper Svilar made a crucial save to deny Muriqi, while Fenerbahce's Jayden Oosterwolde also produced a vital stop at the other end. Ake headed against the crossbar for the hosts in the final minutes. Gasperini, the Roma coach, admitted the point could prove important, describing the match as 'not easy'. The result leaves Roma 13th and Fenerbahce 15th in the group stage table.