Nottingham Forest booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Ipswich Town at the City Ground on Monday night. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Forest prevailing 5-4 on penalties thanks to heroics from goalkeeper Matz Sels. The win sets up a quarter-final clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
A Hard-Fought Battle at the City Ground
Both sides came into this FA Cup fifth-round clash looking to extend their cup journey, with Nottingham Forest eager to capitalize on home advantage and Ipswich aiming to cause an upset. The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances in a cagey first half.
Ipswich, despite being the underdogs, showed resilience and determination, making it clear they wouldn’t be easily beaten. Meanwhile, Forest controlled possession for large spells but found it difficult to break down the visitors’ well-organized defense.
Ipswich Take the Lead
The breakthrough came early in the second half, much to the delight of the traveling Ipswich supporters. A well-worked move saw George Hirst latch onto a precise pass before calmly slotting the ball past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels to give Ipswich a 1-0 lead. It was a deserved reward for their disciplined play, and at that moment, they looked on course for an FA Cup upset.
Forest responded by pushing forward in search of an equalizer, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi causing problems on the wings. However, Ipswich’s defense, led by Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess, stood firm.
Ryan Yates Levels the Score
With Ipswich looking to hold on for a famous victory, Forest’s persistence finally paid off in the 70th minute. A corner delivery into the box found Ryan Yates, who rose above his marker to head the ball into the back of the net, sending the home crowd into celebration.
The equalizer shifted the momentum in Nottingham’s favor, and they nearly found a winner in the closing stages of normal time. A long-range effort from Gibbs-White forced Ipswich goalkeeper Václav Hladký into a smart save, while substitute Taiwo Awoniyi saw his shot cannon off the post.
Extra Time Drama but No Winner
With the game tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. Both teams showed signs of fatigue but continued to push for a decisive goal. Ipswich had a golden chance in the first half of extra time when Nathan Broadhead’s powerful shot forced a crucial save from Sels.
Nottingham, too, had their opportunities, with Awoniyi and Hudson-Odoi coming close, but the decisive moment never arrived, meaning the game had to be decided by penalties.
Matz Sels the Hero in the Shootout
As the penalty shootout commenced, both teams showed composure from the spot, with the first four takers from each side converting their attempts. Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi coolly slotted in their fifth penalty, putting the pressure on Ipswich’s Jack Taylor to keep his side in the contest.
Our goalkeeper. pic.twitter.com/X7XDYJUl2H
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) March 3, 2025
However, Nottingham goalkeeper Matz Sels produced a heroic moment, diving to his left to deny Taylor’s effort and seal a 5-4 victory for Forest. The City Ground erupted in celebration as Forest’s players rushed to embrace their goalkeeper, who had secured their place in the quarter-finals.
What’s Next for Nottingham Forest?
With this win, Nottingham have set up a quarter-final showdown against Brighton, a side known for their attacking football and solid performances in domestic competitions. The clash promises to be another thrilling encounter as Forest continue their FA Cup journey with dreams of silverware.
For Ipswich, their cup run comes to an end, but they can take pride in their spirited performance. They pushed a Premier League side all the way and nearly caused an upset, showing their quality and resilience.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Matz Sels’ heroics: The Forest goalkeeper was the difference-maker, making crucial saves during the game and stopping the decisive penalty.
- Ipswich’s brave fight: The Championship side gave a strong account of themselves, taking the lead and pushing Forest all the way.
- Forest’s resilience: Despite going behind, Forest found a way back and held their nerve in the penalty shootout.
- A tough test ahead: Forest will now prepare for a challenging quarter-final against Brighton, who have been in impressive form this season.
Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup dreams remain alive, and with momentum on their side, they will be aiming to go even further in the competition.
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