Nottingham Forest has secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after defeating Midtjylland in a tense penalty shoot-out on March 19, 2026. The match, held at the MCH Arena in Denmark, concluded with a 2-1 victory for Forest on the night, leveling the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
In a dramatic turn of events, Midtjylland missed all three of their penalties during the shoot-out, while Nottingham Forest successfully converted their attempts through Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Neco Williams. This victory marks a significant achievement for Nottingham Forest, whose last European campaign was in 1995-96 when they reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
Ryan Yates played a pivotal role in the match, scoring a remarkable goal from 25 yards out, which contributed to Forest’s overall performance. The team will now face Porto in the quarter-finals, with the first legs scheduled for April 9 and the second legs on April 16.
During the penalty shoot-out, Midtjylland’s Cho Gue-sung and Aral Simsir both hit the post, further sealing their fate in the competition. Vítor Pereira, the manager of Midtjylland, expressed disappointment, stating, “I really believed we could make it happen,” while also acknowledging the importance of the match’s energy and spirit.
Ryan Yates reflected on the team’s journey, saying, “The journey’s not over yet – we’re still dreaming.” His sentiments resonate with the team’s determination to continue their campaign in the Europa League.
Nottingham Forest’s recent investment of £140 million on four players, including a £31 million permanent option for Lorenzo Lucca, has bolstered their squad, contributing to their success in this tournament. The club’s fans are hopeful that this resurgence in European football will lead to further achievements.
As the quarter-finals approach, Nottingham Forest’s players and supporters are filled with anticipation, eager to see how far they can progress in the Europa League.
