Nottingham Forest strengthened their bid for automatic progression in the Europa League after a tense victory away to Utrecht. Substitute Igor Jesus delivered the decisive moment, finding the net barely a minute after stepping onto the pitch. He reacted quickest when Dan Ndoye’s nodded effort was pushed into his path, guiding in the second goal that sealed the result.
Earlier, Arnaud Kalimuendo had nudged Forest ahead shortly after the interval. An attempted clearance ricocheted off him, dropping perfectly for a composed finish. Forest controlled the tempo thereafter and appeared ready to put the match beyond reach.
However, the visitors were caught out from a set piece when Mike van der Hoorn rose freely to head in the equalizer. That moment energized the home support and shifted the flow of the contest, with Utrecht applying pressure while Forest searched desperately for another opening.
Igor Jesus’ composed strike with two minutes left restored calm and ensured Forest collected a third win from six European outings. Utrecht, meanwhile, remain winless after six matches in the competition.
A long-awaited moment away from home
This triumph carried added weight for Forest, marking their first European away success since 1995. Despite facing an opponent with just a single point in the group, Forest endured spells of difficulty after failing to capitalize fully on their control.
Their fast start produced a flurry of chances—eight in the opening 20 minutes—but they lacked precision in the decisive moments. The breakthrough eventually came after the interval, only for a lapse in concentration to undo their work moments later.
Conceding for the first time in Europe under Sean Dyche briefly unsettled the side. Utrecht sensed vulnerability and pushed forward, forcing Forest to defend urgently as gaps opened in transition.
Dyche’s introduction of Igor Jesus shifted momentum instantly. The forward’s instinctive finish ensured the visitors left with maximum points and renewed confidence heading into the final two matches of the league phase.
Position strengthens for knockout push
With this success, Forest moves into a promising position within the top eight—those spots guaranteeing direct entry into the knockouts. Their performance, though uneven, showed resilience at critical stages.
The side balanced early authority with late urgency, ultimately finding the moment required to avoid dropping points. Dyche’s tactical adjustment proved decisive, adding energy as the contest tightened.
As the competition nears its final league fixtures, Forest now holds a platform to secure automatic qualification. Utrecht’s continued struggles, by contrast, underline the significance of the visitors’ late winner.
