Rotated Forest hold their nerve in Denmark to reach Europa League last eight

Nottingham Forest advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League after defeating Midtjylland in a penalty shoot-out, a result achieved on the road despite sweeping rotation and an aggregate deficit from the first leg. The victory takes Forest into the last eight of a major European competition for the first time in more than two decades and extends a season already shaped by the financial and regulatory pressures of staying in the Premier League.

Strong response flips the tie

With Midtjylland carrying a one-goal advantage from the first meeting, Forest asserted control in Denmark. Nicolas Dominguez’s first-half header restored parity in the tie before captain Ryan Yates drove in a second after the interval to put the visitors ahead overall. The hosts forced extra time when Martin Elic levelled with 20 minutes left of normal time.

• Forest goals: Nicolas Dominguez (header), Ryan Yates (low, driven finish)
• Midtjylland goal: Martin Elic (20 minutes remaining of normal time)
• Extra time: efforts by Lorenzo Lucca and Ryan Yates ruled out for offside
• Penalties: Midtjylland struck the same post twice and missed a third kick; Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare and Neco Williams converted for Forest

Forest’s control for long spells, despite effectively fielding a cup side, lent authority to the win. Where the first leg in England had felt cagey, the return fixture quickly became a test of game management and adaptability away from home.

Rotation framed by a congested run-in

Head coach Vitor Pereira benched a host of first-team regulars ahead of a Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Sunday, stating he did what he “must do” in making nine changes from last weekend’s match against Fulham. Among those named on the bench were Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Murillo, Igor Jesus, Ola Aina, Matz Sels, Neco Williams and Ibrahim Sangare, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Taiwo Awoniyi were not in the squad.

The selection call underlines the trade-offs of this stage of the season. Progress in Europe adds high-value knockout dates to the calendar, while domestic points remain essential in a league governed by strict financial and sporting regulations under the Premier League’s rulebook. Pereira’s approach balanced energy across the group without sacrificing competitiveness: Forest dominated large spells, protected key players for the weekend and then relied on composure from the spot to advance.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira:

“We are very happy. We proved today we came here to compete, that we have good players. We played, in the first half, fantastic, away on this pitch. A very high level. Second half, with the subs, we kept going. I had the chance to balance the energy of the players to prepare the next game.

“When we win it is different. The spirit is different, the energy is different. The boys deserved it because they are a fantastic group. Very good players, with team spirit, character and we showed everything today.

“I don’t have any doubts we have the quality and we will compete to achieve our targets. And to thank our supporters – they deserve to keep playing in this Europa League.”

On his starting line-up: “I did what I must do because in three days we have an important game.

“Today is a Europa League game. We have ambition, we will compete for the result and we have the quality to win this game. I believe in my players.

“I have a responsibility and it’s crucial for the club to keep its position in the Premier League.”

Small margins in extra time, clarity in the shoot-out

After Elic’s equaliser forced extra time, Forest had the ball in the net twice only for offside to be signalled against Lucca and Yates. Both incidents underlined how thin the line was between a statement away win inside 90 minutes and a tie that risked drifting away in added time.

The shoot-out then distilled the contest to execution: Midtjylland struck the same post twice and failed with a third attempt, while Gibbs-White, Sangare and Williams converted to settle it. Forest’s takers were decisive, and the body language of both the away end and the touchline suggested a group increasingly comfortable with high-stakes moments.

Domestic focus resumes before European quarter-final

Forest’s rotated bench was used heavily after half-time-Gibbs-White, Anderson, Murillo, Ola Aina and Neco Williams all entered-but the priorities now split quickly across competitions. The Premier League trip to Tottenham is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026 (kick-off 2:15pm local time in the UK), with the television broadcast listed as live on Sky Sports.

That league fixture drops into a calendar in which every decision on rest, recovery and selection is now made against a backdrop of survival targets, broadcast commitments and the financial impact of retaining Premier League status. Forest’s ability to navigate that without overextending a relatively tight senior squad will be central to how this season is ultimately judged in the boardroom as well as the dressing room.

Sunday 22nd March 2:00pm

Kick off 2:15pm

Quarter-final assignment and calendar pressure

Forest will face Porto in the quarter-finals. The tie is scheduled over two legs on April 9 and April 16, with progression determined on aggregate after 180 minutes; away goals are no longer used to separate teams, so extra time and, if required, penalties decide a level tie under UEFA’s competition regulations. The semi-finals fall on April 30 and May 7, and the final is set for May 20 at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul.

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates:

“I’m buzzing we’re through. Penalties always nervy, always tough, but the lads stepped up and we’re really pleased.

“It’s not over yet – we’re still dreaming.

“From minute one, the fans really helped us. Considering the changes, it shows the strength in depth we have, the spirit.

“At this stage of the season it’s about showing that togetherness, fighting for each other. A lot of lads played today who haven’t had many minutes – and a lot of them took their opportunities.

“That winning feeling is special. You want to keep that momentum going. Momentum at this stage of the season is huge.

“We need to recover well, focus on Tottenham and hopefully we can keep building and go and get those wins.”

What it means

Forest’s progress prolongs a continental campaign into April, maintaining competitive momentum and giving Pereira further opportunities to rotate responsibly across two fronts. Knockout advancement can be catalytic for a group’s confidence, and it also tightens the schedule around key domestic fixtures at a time when recruitment, wage spending and league position are all under closer regulatory and financial scrutiny.

In practical terms, this tie in Denmark has validated the depth of Forest’s squad-building strategy. Fringe players delivered in a high-pressure European environment, allowing senior decision-makers to keep one eye on the immediate demands of the league while still chasing the profile and prize money of a deep Europa League run. Managing minutes-evident in the broad use of the bench in Denmark-remains central to balancing survival aims at home with the demands of a two-legged European quarter-final, and the margin for error on that front only narrows from here.

Europa League knockout schedule

• Quarter-finals: April 9 and April 16
• Semi-finals: April 30 and May 7
• Final: May 20 – Besiktas Stadium, Istanbul