For Ange Postecoglou, Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to European competition was tinged with both excitement and frustration. In their first competitive continental fixture since 1996, Forest looked destined to claim a memorable victory, only for Antony to strike in the 85th minute and secure a 2-2 draw for Real Betis.
Softfootball can report that the Brazilian winger’s goal denied Postecoglou his first win as Forest manager in a tournament he had triumphed in the previous season with Tottenham.
Just as they recorded a draw over the weekend against Burnley at the Turf Moor, Forest were again forced to another away draw.
Meanwhile, the match, which carried immense significance for Forest and their supporters, marked the club’s re-emergence on the European stage.
About 5,000 fans travelled to Seville, filling the away section of Betis’s temporary ground with colour, noise, and nostalgia. Their chants of past trips to lower-league grounds such as Gillingham, Huddersfield, Hull, and Rotherham underscored how far the club has risen in recent years.
Ryan Yates, still part of the squad, provided a link back to those humbler days, reminding fans of the journey from the Championship to Europe. After the game, Forest players appreciated their fans for the support shown to them on the night. Watch below as shown on the Forest official X handle:
On the pitch, the game began at a frantic pace. Betis started stronger, with Ángel Ortiz driving down the wing and Antony combining with Cédric Bakambu to open the scoring inside fifteen minutes. The Congolese striker finished powerfully into the top corner after Antony’s incisive play. Yet Forest’s response was immediate and emphatic.
Within three minutes, Igor Jesus, who got his first European start, etched his name into club history by becoming Forest’s first European goalscorer in 29 years. A flowing move, orchestrated by Oleksandr Zinchenko, Elliot Anderson, and Douglas Luiz, culminated in Morgan Gibbs-White’s low cross that Jesus tapped home.
Forest’s momentum only grew. Five minutes later, Douglas Luiz’s corner was expertly headed in by Jesus, giving him a brace and the visitors a deserved lead. Postecoglou’s men dominated the remainder of the first half and carried their confidence into the second, fashioning further opportunities to kill the game. Dilane Bakwa’s volley flew over, while substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo squandered a promising counter-attack, his heavy touch allowing Pau López to deny him.
Betis, however, was not without threat. Their impressive home record in Europe, with just one defeat in 18 matches, highlighted the difficulty of the task Forest faced. Pablo Fornals, introduced in the second half, signalled their intent with a shot narrowly wide. Center-back Natan soon missed a clear chance, a warning that went unheeded by Forest’s defence.
