Nottingham Forest’s last European adventure: ‘Klinsmann knows my name!’
For Ange Postecoglou, it already feels like an endless wait. Just when it seemed he would secure his first win as Nottingham Forest manager in a competition he won last season, Antony equalized for Real Betis to spoil the celebration. Igor Jesus scored twice as Forest fought back from Cédric Bakambu’s early goal and even hit the woodwork while chasing a first-half hat-trick. But the former Manchester United winger, often criticized for his struggles in the Premier League, leveled the score in the 85th minute. Compared to last week’s match at Swansea—where the Championship club scored in the 93rd and 97th minutes to snatch a Carabao Cup comeback—this wasn’t as dramatic, but it was still frustrating.
This was a major moment: Forest’s first competitive European match since March 1996. As Postecoglou pointed out, it was a long-awaited opportunity for generations of fans who had only heard stories of the club’s past glories. Around 5,000 Forest supporters made the trip to Seville, with 3,385 packed into the away section high up in Betis’s temporary, beige-colored stadium while their usual home, the Benito Villamarin, is being renovated. Most fans gathered at Parque de los Perdigones before marching together to the ground, reliving the kind of gritty away days the club has known over the years.
The Forest faithful sang about past trips to Gillingham, Huddersfield, Hull, and Rotherham. Five years ago to the day, they lost 1-0 at Huddersfield, with Ryan Yates—on the bench for this match—the only player from that squad still at the club. Since then, owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested heavily, including £200 million this summer, to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Three years ago, during a promotion celebration in Market Square, the Greek billionaire promised to bring Forest back to Europe. “Sometimes you don’t see the future because you’re always talking about the past,” Marinakis, who was in attendance, remarked.
That vision was realized when Igor Jesus became Forest’s first European goalscorer in 29 years, since Steve Stone’s consolation goal against Bayern Munich. Betis started strongly, with Ángel Ortiz racing down the wing after stealing the ball from Callum Hudson-Odoi. Morgan Gibbs-White was booked within two minutes for pulling back former Leeds defender Junior Firpo. The home side took the lead after 15 minutes when Antony sped past Morato and set up Bakambu, who fired high into the net past Matz Sels.
But Betis’s lead lasted only three minutes. Forest responded with a slick move, shifting the ball from left to right with quick passes involving Oleksandr Zinchenko and Elliot Anderson before Douglas Luiz found Gibbs-White on the right. Gibbs-White slid a diagonal ball across goal, and Igor Jesus tapped in from close range. Postecoglou applauded as he walked back to the dugout, and five minutes later, Forest took the lead. Douglas Luiz delivered an inswinging corner, and Igor Jesus headed home.
Forest were in control and should have extended their lead in the second half, but Dilane Bakwa volleyed over, and substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo missed a clear chance after being set up by Zinchenko. The challenge was always going to be tough against a Betis side that had lost only one of their previous 18 European home matches.
Substitute Pablo Fornals, who had just replaced captain Giovani Lo Celso, then fired a shot wide for Betis.Just past the Forest goal, it served as a warning that the visitors failed to heed. A minute later, centre-back Natan squandered a golden opportunity, but Antony would make the most of his.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about Antonys late winner for Real Betis against Nottingham Forest
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginner General Questions
Q1 Who is Antony and which team does he play for
A Antony is a Brazilian forward He plays for the Spanish club Real Betis
Q2 Who did Real Betis play against
A They played against Nottingham Forest a club from England
Q3 What does a late winner mean
A It means a goal scored very near the end of the game that decides the match turning a potential draw or loss into a win
Q4 When was this match played
A This was a preseason friendly match played in the summer of 2024
Q5 What was the final score
A Real Betis won 10 with Antonys goal being the only one of the match
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q6 Why is a goal in a preseason friendly considered important
A While the result doesnt count for a trophy its important for team morale helps new players build confidence and allows the manager to assess tactics and player fitness
Q7 How did Antony score the goal
A He scored with a wellplaced low shot from inside the penalty area after receiving a pass showcasing his composure in front of goal
Q8 What does this performance mean for Antonys position at Betis
A Scoring a decisive goal even in a friendly can help him secure a more prominent role in the team for the upcoming competitive season and win over the fans
Q9 Were there any other notable players or moments in the match
A Preseason matches often focus on squad rotation so many players got minutes The main talking point was the effectiveness of Betiss attack in breaking down a defensively organized Premier League side
Q10 Where can I watch a replay of the goal
