UEFA Europa League League Stage - 3
Nottingham Forest 2 - 0 FT FC Porto
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
19' M. Gibbs-White
Francisco Moura 25'
35' Igor Jesus
45'+1 ↓ O. Zinchenko ↑N. Savona
HT
Jan Bednarek 53'
↓ B. Sainz ↑William Gomes 58'
↓ A. Varela ↑G. Veiga 58'
↓ A. Costa ↑Zaidu 58'
↓ F. Moura ↑M. Fernandes 58'
75' Nicolò Savona
↓ Pepê ↑R. Mora 77'
77' Igor Jesus
85' ↓ Douglas Luiz ↑R. Yates
Gabri Veiga 89'
90' Murillo
90'+3 ↓ E. Anderson ↑I. Sangare
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Nottingham Forest
Goalkeepers
M. Sels 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
N. Williams 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
N. Milenkovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Murillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Zinchenko
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
44
Total Mins
45
Entry
Midfielders
Douglas Luiz 
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
55
Passes
11
Duels
E. Anderson
MAGNET
101
Activity
101
Activity
87
Passes
14
Duels
D. Ndoye
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. Gibbs-White 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
C. Hudson-Odoi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Igor Jesus 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
BENCH
John Victor 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
K. Willows
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Morato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Boly
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Savona
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Z. Abbott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Sangare
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Dominguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Yates
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. McAtee
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Kalimuendo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Z. Blake
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Porto
Goalkeepers
D. Costa 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
A. Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
58
Entry
J. Bednarek 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.9
Rating
J. Kiwior
MAGNET
84
Activity
84
Activity
80
Passes
4
Duels
F. Moura 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
25%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
V. Froholdt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Varela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
P. Rosario
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Claudio Ramos
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Costa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Zaidu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Prpic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Fernandes
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.3
Rating
G. Bras
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Eustaquio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Mora
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
William Gomes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Gul
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Alarcon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/09/2026 | FC Porto | 1 - 1 | Nottingham Forest | UEFA Europa League | Estádio do Dragão |
| 10/23/2025 | Nottingham Forest | 2 - 0 | FC Porto | UEFA Europa League | City Ground |
04/09/2026
10/23/2025
Nottingham Forest Win
FC Porto Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 3 GD: -4
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
VAR Drama And Spot-Kick Glory At The City Ground
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 41/100. Two penalties and a massive VAR reprieve helped Nottingham Forest secure a vital European victory over a frustrated Porto side.
Early Breakthrough
Nottingham Forest wasted no time asserting themselves on home soil. They edged possession early on, probing the visitors' backline with clear intent. The breakthrough arrived inside twenty minutes. M. Gibbs-White stepped up to the spot and ruthlessly dispatched a 19th-minute penalty. That early strike set a high Intensity for the rest of the half. FC Porto struggled to find an immediate answer, forced to chase the game as the hosts maintained a tight structural grip. The Stakes were high in this Europa League clash, and the home side looked perfectly comfortable absorbing pressure before striking on the break.
The VAR Turning Point
The second half descended into absolute chaos. Porto came out swinging, applying immense set-piece pressure by forcing eight corners. Their moment seemingly arrived in the 53rd minute when Jan Bednarek found the back of the net. The away end exploded, but the celebrations were instantly cut short. A VAR review ruled out the goal, completely shifting the match's Balance. That emotional swing proved fatal for the Portuguese giants. Tensions boiled over until the 75th minute, when VAR took center stage yet again. A controversial incident involving Nicolò Savona went to the monitors. The verdict? Another penalty for the home side.
Defensive Masterclass
With the penalty confirmed, Igor Jesus took the responsibility and buried the spot-kick in the 77th minute to double the lead. From there, it was an absolute defensive clinic. Neco Williams put in a monumental shift on the flank, earning Man of the Match honors for his relentless engine and tactical discipline. He was brilliantly supported by Nikola Milenković and Murillo, who repelled everything Porto threw at them in the dying minutes. This 2-0 win boosts Forest firmly in the playoff hunt, while handing Porto a frustrating setback on the road.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR wiped out a crucial 53rd-minute equalizer from Jan Bednarek, then later confirmed a controversial 75th-minute penalty that sealed the game for the hosts.
What made Neco Williams the Man of the Match?
Williams delivered an outstanding defensive performance, shutting down Porto's flank attacks and orchestrating transitions to secure a massive clean sheet for his side.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Forest's Firepower Meets Porto's Pedigree
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 56/100. An intriguing clash of styles awaits as Nottingham Forest's high-octane attack tests FC Porto's sturdy European resolve for a crucial top-eight finish.
The Setup
Nottingham Forest welcome FC Porto to the City Ground on October 23, 2025, with both sides eyeing progression in the UEFA Europa League. The hosts currently sit 13th in the league stage, comfortably inside the top-24 playoff line but hungry for direct advancement. Porto hold the coveted 5th spot, aiming to solidify their automatic qualification status. Despite modest Stakes on paper at this early phase, the tension is palpable. Forest boast an impressive Form rating, heavily influenced by a staggering 2.8 goals per game average. The Portuguese visitors, however, are defensive specialists, conceding rarely but scoring just 0.8 goals per match. This tactical mismatch skews the Balance, making it a fascinating watch. With a pitch full of elite talent, the sheer quality on display drives a massive Stars rating.
Key Battle
The wide channels will dictate this contest. Dan Ndoye has been electric for the home side, using his pace to stretch opposing defensive lines. He faces a formidable opponent in Jakub Kiwior, whose disciplined positioning anchors the away back line. If Ndoye breaks free, Forest will run riot; if Kiwior locks him down, Porto can successfully dictate the tempo.
Our Prediction
Porto's defensive block will frustrate the hosts initially, but Forest's sheer volume of attacking pressure should eventually crack the shell. Expect a tight 2-1 victory for the English side as they climb closer to the top eight.