Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo hailed a “huge moment” for the club as they secured a place in the FA Cup semifinals for the first time in over three decades after a tense penalty shootout victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Championship side held their Premier League opponents to a 0-0 draw after extra time at the Amex Stadium before triumphing 4-3 on penalties. Goalkeeper Matz Sels emerged as the hero, saving crucial spot-kicks from Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gómez, while captain Ryan Yates netted the decisive penalty to send Forest to Wembley.
Nuno praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We are so happy—this is a dream for all of us. The boys were fantastic, controlling the midfield against a tough side. Winning like this is special, especially for Ryan, our one-club man and captain.”
The victory extended Forest’s remarkable streak of FA Cup shootout successes, having previously defeated Exeter City and Ipswich Town on penalties in earlier rounds. Sels credited his preparation, stating, “I did my research, and it paid off. The team fought hard, and now we celebrate.”
Forest’s long-awaited return to the semifinals has ignited excitement among fans, marking a historic step in their quest for FA Cup glory.
Nottingham Forest End 34-Year FA Cup Semifinal Drought with Dramatic Penalty Win Over Brighton
