Nottingham Forest scripted a historic chapter in English football on Saturday, reaching the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990 after a nail-biting 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels emerged as the hero at the Amex Stadium, saving crucial spot kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez to secure his team’s path to Wembley.
The quarterfinal clash remained deadlocked at 0-0 through 120 minutes of tense play, showcasing defensive resilience from both sides. Forest’s Ryan Yates sealed the win with a composed final penalty, overcoming teammate Neco Williams’ earlier miss. This triumph extends Forest’s remarkable cup run, having survived shootouts against Exeter City and Ipswich Town in earlier rounds.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s revitalized squad now eyes a potential ‘double ambition’ – chasing Champions League qualification in the Premier League while aiming for their first FA Cup final since 1991. The achievement resonates beyond sports, rekindling memories of Forest’s European glory days under Brian Clough in the late 1970s.
