Nuno Espirito Santo savoured a “huge moment” for Nottingham Forest after they reached their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as Forest beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at the Amex Stadium.
Sels had previously made crucial saves in shoot-outs against Exeter and Ipswich in the previous two rounds.
For the first time in 34 years. pic.twitter.com/G5x8iKIuNy
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) March 29, 2025
This time he had Forest partying like it was 1991, the last time they reached the last four of the competition under Brian Clough.
“Good goalkeeping but also good shooting,” said Nuno. “The third time and it’s the first penalty we missed in all the shoot-outs.
“It’s credit to the players. And of course fantastic goalkeeping.”
Neco Williams skied his penalty for Forest but it did not matter as captain Ryan Yates stepped up to send the Reds through.
“It means a lot for all of us and especially for him to take the last penalty to send us to Wembley. Remarkable,” added Nuno, who sat in the dug-out throughout the shoot-out while the rest of the players and staff stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the touchline.
These post-match vibes are unmatched 🤌#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/hOxP1MFuy6
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 29, 2025
“I’m too nervous. It’s a moment of anxiety. And superstition. I just prefer to sit down.
“It means a lot, it’s a huge moment for our club and on our journey. It’s a huge competition, the FA Cup. We are delighted.”
Stuart Pearce was in Forest’s class of ’91, and he was on radio commentary duty at the Amex and looking in fine fettle following his recent health scare.
Pearce knew a thing or two about penalty shoot-outs so he would have enjoyed the climax, if not the 120 minutes that preceded it.
Forest were awarded a penalty when Kaoru Mitoma slid in on Elliot Anderson, only for referee Peter Bankes to change his mind on review.
Our gaffer. ✊ pic.twitter.com/WTVCIP5UxD
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) March 29, 2025
Gomez went closest to winning it for Brighton in extra time, but his header was tipped over by Sels.
It meant Brighton were denied a third semi-final appearance in seven years, and boss Fabian Hurzeler admitted the result hurt as much as the 7-0 drubbing by the same opposition in the Premier League last month.
“No difference. It’s two big losses,” said the German, who chose the penalty takers himself.
“I take responsibility. In the end they had a great goalkeeper and in the end we weren’t able to win this game.
“I think in the 90 minutes we didn’t do enough to win this game. In the extra time we did enough. Then we had some big chances and we weren’t able to score.
“The main thing now is to show a reaction. To be disappointed today and tomorrow, keep the heads up and show a reaction and prove we are able to stick together as a team.”
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