Nottingham Forest are into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out win over Ipswich, and the significance of this victory cannot be overstated.
Matz Sels was the hero once again, making the decisive save from Jack Taylor to settle the tie after a 1-1 draw.
This is only the second time in nearly three decades that Forest have reached the last eight of the FA Cup.
For a club still establishing itself back in the top flight, such moments matter. The prospect of a trip to Wembley Stadium is now just one game away.
George Hirst’s header had given Ipswich the lead, and Forest looked in real danger of a limp exit. That goal jolted them into life, with Ryan Yates rising highest to level the game soon after.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side then had chances to win it before penalties. Callum Hudson-Odoi hit the bar, Murillo forced a great save from Alex Palmer, and Yates had another header ruled offside.
But extra time drifted by, leading to a shoot-out where Sels delivered again. The Forest boss admitted he could not bear to watch.
“I’m really happy,” Nuno said. “We had so many hopes in the FA Cup. It’s important for the club to give it a real go. The FA Cup will always be on our mind.”
This win comes at a crucial time for Forest. They are in the thick of a fight for European qualification, and balancing cup and league ambitions is no easy task.
However, momentum is a powerful force in football, and victories like this can fuel belief.
Nuno has made it clear that survival is not Forest’s only aim this season. Their recent league form suggests they are capable of a top-four finish, and the confidence gained from the cup run could be key.
The next round pits them against Brighton & Hove Albion, a side they humiliated 7-0 not long ago.
Forest have grown into a side that expects to win, even on difficult nights. That mindset could define their season.
