After 42 years: Forest reach European semis and schedule English duel with Villa
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.04.26. | 09:43
The Trees narrowly beat ten-man Porto 1-0 and continued their Europa League adventure, despite their relegation struggles in the Premier League
It's hard to say whether it proves the strength of the English Premier League or the weakness of the UEFA Europa League - yet, the EPL relegation strugglers, Nottingham Forest, will play in the UEL semi-finals after beating ten-man Porto at home 1-0 and securing a narrow 2-1 win on aggregate.
🔴 Nottingham Forest 1-0 Porto 🔵 (2-1 agg)
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) April 16, 2026
Forest reach their first European semi-final since the 1983-84 UEFA Cup pic.twitter.com/C2yYnlMm0T
Even though many would point out Morgan Gibbs-White's 12th-minute winner as the highlight of the game, the true decisive moment occurred four minutes earlier when the visitors' defender Jan Bednarek was sent off for a horrendous tackle on the Trees' striker Chris Wood.
The New Zealander missed the past six months due to a knee surgery, returned to the pitch last week in the first leg against Porto, and now re-injured the same knee, being unable to continue the match and putting his appearance at the upcoming World Cup at risk.
This was the (horrendous) tackle from Jan Bednarek that led to Chris Wood being subbed off injured
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) April 16, 2026
Bednarek was red carded after a VAR check#FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/SOZ2cQ24TH
Even with a man down, the Dragons weren't willing to surrender easily. Although Forest naturally dominated the game, the visitors hit the woodwork twice in the second half, in the 56th minute through William Gomes and 28 minutes later through Alan Varela, but ultimately failed to salvage at least a draw that would have secured them extra time.
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This way, Nottingham reached their first European semi-final since 1984 and thus scheduled an English duel against Aston Villa.
In the other UEL semi-final, Braga will meet Freiburg. The first legs of the penultimate stage of the knockout phase are set for April 30, while the return legs will take place seven days later.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - QUARTER-FINALS
Return leg
Thursday
Celta Vigo - Freiburg 1-3 (0-2)
/Swedberg 90+1 - Matanovic 33, Suzuki 39, 50/
Frieburg win 6-1 on aggregate
Aston Villa - Bologna 4-0 (3-0)
/Watkins 16, Buendia 26, Rogers 39, Konsa 89/
Aston Villa win 7-1 on aggregate
Real Betis - Braga 2-4 (2-1)
/Antony 13, Ezzalzouli 26 - Victor 36, Carvalho 49, Horta 53 (p), Gorby 74/
Braga win 5-3 on aggregate
Nottingham Forest - Porto 1-0 (1-0)
/Gibbs-White 12/
Nottingham Forest win 2-1 on aggregate