Real Betis’ Antony netted a late equaliser to deny Nottingham Forest a win on their return to European competition. The 2-2 UEFA Europa League scoreline extended Ange Postecoglou’s winless start as Tricky Trees boss to four matches (D2, L2).
Over 29 years since they lost to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, Nottingham Forest returned to the European stage with a difficult meeting against last season’s UEFA Conference League runners-up.
The Tricky Trees would have feared a long evening when they shipped the opener inside the first 15 minutes at La Cartuja. Former Manchester United winger Antony was given the room to drive onto his favoured left foot before laying off for Cedric Bakambu, who swivelled and rifled in at the near post.
However, to Forest’s credit, they refused to be deterred by the early setback and swiftly turned the game in their favour courtesy of Igor Jesus’s five-minute brace.
The Brazilian, who was given the nod over Chris Wood, was in the right place to tap in from Morgan Gibbs-White’s ball across goal, sparking scenes of jubilation among those who made the journey from the East Midlands.
Jesus then quickly took his Forest tally to four goals when he steered a header past Pau Lopez from Douglas Luiz’s inswinging corner. With momentum in the visitors’ favour, Callum Hudson-Odoi threatened to take advantage of another set-piece situation, only to see his close-range effort bounce off the post.
Unimpressed with the half-time scoreline, Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini made a triple change at the break, introducing Ricardo Rodriguez, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Marc Roca in a bid to spark a fightback.
The changes enabled Betis to enjoy large periods of possession, but they were finding it tough to create clear-cut opportunities.
As a result, Los Verdiblancos bided their time until they carved out the opening for Antony to net a dramatic 85th-minute equaliser, with the winger firing a right-foot shot back across goal after meeting Roca’s cross.
Postecoglou would have been bitterly disappointed to see his side concede so late, but in time, he may reflect upon a useful point against a Betis side that have lost just once in seven games this term.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)