Nottingham Forest secured a place in the quarter-finals

 Nottingham Forest secured a place in the quarter-finals 

against Brighton & Hove Albion after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Ipswich Town, following a grueling 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at The City Ground.

Matz Sels emerged as the hero, saving Ipswich’s fifth penalty after the first nine were expertly converted, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Forest supporters.

Ipswich took the lead early in the second half when George Hirst’s header found the net, but Forest captain Ryan Yates responded with a crucial equalizer 20 minutes from time, sending the match into extra time and ultimately penalties.

Before the game, The City Ground united in applause on six minutes to honor the memory of Sam Perkins, who passed away in early February following a courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

Forest nearly opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Ibrahim Sangaré met Anthony Elanga’s outswinging corner, but his effort drifted just wide of Alex Palmer’s right-hand post. Despite dominating possession in the attacking third, Forest failed to truly test Palmer, registering eight shots in the first half compared to Ipswich’s two.

The first half ended goalless, with both sides unable to break the deadlock.

Half-time: Forest 0-0 Ipswich

Forest came out stronger in the second period, with Elanga forcing a save from Palmer after an explosive run by Callum Hudson-Odoi. Ipswich responded minutes later, as Sam Morsy’s powerful 25-yard strike was tipped over by Sels. However, from the resulting corner, Hirst escaped his marker and nodded Ipswich into the lead.

Determined to fight back, Forest kept pushing and were rewarded with 20 minutes left on the clock. Elanga delivered a precise cross on his second attempt, allowing Yates to power a header past Palmer and ignite the home crowd.

Ipswich almost regained the lead immediately when Hirst headed over, but Forest kept the pressure on. Taiwo Awoniyi’s clever flick was blocked, and Elliot Anderson’s follow-up narrowly missed the target. Yates thought he had secured a second goal, only for the offside flag to deny him.

As the match neared its final moments, Murillo unleashed a fierce strike that Palmer acrobatically tipped over the bar. From the ensuing corner, Hudson-Odoi came agonizingly close, his curling effort clipping the post and crossbar.

With no winner in regulation, extra time ensued.

Full-time: Forest 1-1 Ipswich

Forest dominated the first half of extra time, with Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood, and Morgan Gibbs-White all threatening. Substitute Jota had the last chance of the match, but his effort drifted wide, ensuring the game would be decided by penalties.

Full-time after extra time: Forest 1-1 Ipswich

Both teams showed remarkable composure in the shootout, converting their first nine penalties. However, Sels guessed correctly on Ipswich’s final attempt, denying Jack Taylor and securing Forest’s place in the quarter-finals.

The Reds will now face Brighton at the Amex Stadium later this month.