Nottingham Forest overcome Midtjylland on penalties to reach quarter-finals

Nottingham Forest have reached the Europa League quarter-finals after overturning a first-leg deficit to defeat Midtjylland 3-0 on penalties following a 2-1 away victory in Denmark.

Nicolas Dominguez and captain Ryan Yates scored in normal time as the Premier League strugglers reversed last week’s 1-0 defeat at the City Ground.

However, a crucial strike from Martin Erlic levelled the aggregate score and sent the dramatic tie into extra time.

The English side held their nerve during the shootout, perfectly converting their spot-kicks while their Danish opponents missed all three attempts.

Vitor Pereira’s team will now face either Stuttgart or Porto in the last eight of the competition.

Forest dominate despite domestic focus

The head coach made several changes to his starting lineup, suggesting a primary focus on top-flight survival rather than European progression.

Despite this heavy rotation, the visitors commanded the early exchanges and consistently threatened Elias Rafn Olafsson’s goal.

Yates was unfortunate to see a powerful effort strike the crossbar, while Philip Billing was forced into a desperate goal-line clearance to keep the hosts level.

Their attacking persistence finally paid off late in the first half when Argentine midfielder Dominguez expertly headed home to level the tie overall.

VAR frustration and shootout composure

The two-time European Cup winners appeared to have secured their passage in normal time when Yates unleashed a fierce rocket to establish a 2-1 aggregate lead.

Erlic’s equaliser for the hosts ensured an additional 30 minutes of tension, testing the stamina of a much-changed visiting squad.

Both Lorenzo Lucca and Yates experienced the frustration of having extra-time goals ruled out for offside.

When the match was ultimately decided from 12 yards, the Nottinghamshire club demonstrated flawless composure to keep their continental adventure alive.