Nottingham Forest advanced to the FA Cup semifinals for the first time in 34 years, with Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels playing a starring role in their dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton on Saturday.
After a goalless draw following extra time at the Amex Stadium, Sels became the hero, saving spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez.
Despite Neco Williams missing his attempt, Ryan Yates calmly converted the decisive penalty to send Forest to Wembley.
Forest had also relied on shoot-outs to overcome third-tier Exeter and Premier League strugglers Ipswich in earlier rounds of the competition.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team is enjoying a remarkable campaign that could see them qualify for the Champions League and reach their first FA Cup final since 1991. Currently third in the Premier League, Forest are within reach of their first Champions League appearance since the 1980-81 season.
With nine league games remaining, they hold a five-point lead over fourth-placed Chelsea and sit six points ahead of Manchester City in fifth.
The last Forest team to reach the FA Cup semifinals was Brian Clough’s squad, who defeated West Ham before falling to Tottenham in the final. They now join Crystal Palace in the last four after the Eagles’ 3-0 win at Fulham.
The other quarterfinals will see Manchester City visit Bournemouth and Aston Villa travel to Championship side Preston, the only non-Premier League club left in the competition.
Forest had crushed Brighton 7-0 in a Premier League clash at the City Ground in February, marking the Seagulls’ heaviest defeat in 67 years. Despite Brighton rebounding with four wins in an unbeaten five-game league run, they were unable to withstand Forest’s penalty prowess.
Nuno made a surprise tactical decision by benching wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, seemingly prioritizing Tuesday’s league fixture against Manchester United.
Leading scorer Chris Wood was also unavailable after suffering a hip injury while on international duty with New Zealand.
Taiwo Awoniyi, starting in Wood’s absence, nearly opened the scoring early on, latching onto Ola Aina’s pass before forcing a sharp save from Bart Verbruggen. However, without their key attacking threats, Forest struggled to create clear chances.
Brighton also lacked cutting edge, with Pervis Estupiñán’s long-range effort denied by Sels and Carlos Baleba narrowly missing just before halftime.
Forest showed signs of improvement after the break, as Morgan Gibbs-White tested Verbruggen with a powerful strike. Recognizing the need for fresh attacking options, Nuno introduced Hudson-Odoi and Elanga, with Verbruggen later denying Elanga from close range to force extra time.
Brighton’s Diego Gomez nearly won it in the dying moments, but Sels pulled off a brilliant save to keep out his header—setting the stage for his decisive heroics in the shoot-out.
