Nottingham Forest kept their hopes of reaching the European competition semifinals for the first time in 42 years alive. The match, which had been slipping away from them on enemy territory, was completely turned by the opponent's unbelievable own goal.
Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with FC Porto on the 10th (KST) at the Dragão Stadium in Porto, Portugal, in the first leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League quarterfinals.
It was moments before defeat. They conceded the opening goal away, and the match was dominated by the opponent. Even so, Nottingham did not collapse. On the contrary, they succeeded in bringing the second leg back home.
Porto took the lead first. They pressed Nottingham from the early stages. Nottingham goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved shots from Taremi and Borja Sainz in succession. Nottingham, who had been holding on, eventually conceded in the 18th minute of the first half. William Gomes pushed in a cross that came from the right at the far post.
It was not a flow that would end with just one goal. Porto continued to press, and Taremi's shot was blocked by Ortega in added time as well. Nottingham was shaky throughout the first half.
The turnaround came in an absurd way.
It was the 18th minute of the second half. Porto defender Martín Fernández tried to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper deep in his own half. The problem was that goalkeeper Diogo Gomes had left the goal and was out of position. Fernández's pass was sucked into his own net from a distance of some 45 yards (about 41 meters).
It was an own goal that froze the stadium. Porto's momentum and the victory they had been holding evaporated in an instant.
Nottingham came alive after that. Substitutes Nikola Milenković, Igor Jesus, Nico Williams, Omari Hutchinson and Ibrahima Sangaré steadied the match in the second half. In the closing stages of the second half they again conceded a decisive shot to William Gomes, but Ortega threw his body once more.
With this result, Nottingham will continue competing for a semifinal spot in the second leg at home next week. Nottingham already has experience having beaten Porto 2-0 at home in the league phase last October. That was Sean Dyche's first match in charge.
If they win again at the City Ground, Nottingham will reach the European competition semifinals for the first time since 1984.
The opponent waiting in that semifinal is also formidable. On the same day Aston Villa beat Bologna 3-1 to move close to the semifinals. If Nottingham gets past Porto, the first European semifinal in 42 years would likely become a war between English teams.
The more surprising thing is Nottingham's situation. In the league they are still fighting relegation. They are currently three points above the relegation zone. Vítor Pereira fielded as many as nine changes in the first leg despite this situation. He started Chris Wood, who returned after six months, and played without Elliott Anderson, who was suspended through accumulated bookings.
When the starting lineup was announced, questions poured in locally. The result was perfect. Pereira's choices were right.
Now Nottingham plays Aston Villa at home on the 12th in a Premier League match. It is an important game to escape the relegation zone. And on the 18th, they will host Porto again.
Nottingham must survive. In the Premier League and in Europe, Nottingham is not giving up on either fight.
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