Real Betis vs Nottm Forest: 2-2 Draw, Stats & Lineups

Nottingham Forest’s return to European competition after nearly three decades ended in heartbreak on September 24, 2025. Igor Jesus had put the visitors ahead with a quickfire brace inside 25 minutes, only for Antony to rescue a 2-2 draw for Real Betis with an 85th-minute equaliser at Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja. For Forest, it felt like a win that slipped away.

Final Score: 2-2 · Competition: UEFA Europa League · Date: 24 Sept 2025 · Venue: Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja · Key Moment: Antony 85th-minute equalizer

Real betis vs nottm forest results

Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to European football ended in dramatic fashion as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in Seville. Cédric Bakambu gave Real Betis an early lead with a goal in the 15th minute, finishing past the Forest goalkeeper after a swift counter-attack. The home side looked in control until Forest mounted a stunning comeback.

Igor Jesus turned in Morgan Gibbs-White’s low ball in the 18th minute to level things up, then headed home a Douglas Luiz corner just five minutes later to complete the brace. Forest were briefly ahead, but Antony’s late strike from a Marc Roca cross in the 85th minute rescued a point for Betis. Cucho Hernández picked up a yellow card in stoppage time as the match finished 2-2.

Goal scorers and timings

• 15′ – Cédric Bakambu (Betis) – opened scoring after Betis counter
• 18′ – Igor Jesus (Forest) – turned in Gibbs-White assist
• 23′ – Igor Jesus (Forest) – headed from Douglas Luiz corner
• 85′ – Antony (Betis) – equaliser from Roca cross
• 90+4′ – Cucho Hernández – yellow card

Match report highlights

The match was played at Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja before 57,257 supporters (Sky Sports team details). Kick-off came at 19:00 UTC on September 24, 2025 (FotMob live stats). Forest showed remarkable spirit after falling behind, responding to Betis’ opener with two goals in seven minutes.

Real betis vs nottm forest stats

This was the first competitive meeting between Real Betis and Nottingham Forest in UEFA Europa League history (UEFA.com official record). The clubs had faced each other just once since 2018, with Betis winning that prior encounter. Heading into this match, the form guide suggested Forest struggled — they had zero wins in their previous three matches compared to Betis’ single win in their last five games.

Possession and shots

Real Betis completed 483 passes during the match while winning 55 duels across the 90 minutes. The Betis goalkeeper made four saves to keep the hosts in contention. Forest created the clearer chances through Igor Jesus, whose clinical finishing put them ahead despite Forest generally being out-possessed.

Key player stats

The match statistics revealed notable disparities in attacking intent between the two sides.

The pattern shows Forest’s forwards were more clinical despite Betis controlling larger stretches of possession.

Head-to-head record

Prior to this fixture, no UEFA Europa League meetings had ever occurred between the clubs. The only prior encounter since 2018 resulted in a Betis victory (AiScore head-to-head data). This was Real Betis’ 12th participation in the UEFA Europa League, while Nottingham Forest featured for just the fourth time (Playmakerstats match data).

Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest lineups

Forest’s starting eleven included several players who featured prominently throughout the match. I. Sangaré started in midfield before being substituted by R. Yates in the 82nd minute. C. Hudson-Odoi was also removed, with D. Ndoye coming on in the 64th minute. E. Anderson and captain M. Gibbs-White anchored Forest’s efforts in the final third.

Betis named a strong side with Bakambu leading the line and Antony operating in a wide attacking role. Marc Roca proved decisive as a second-half substitute, providing the assist for Antony’s equaliser. The home side’s organization at the back, combined with their goalkeeper’s four saves, kept them within touching distance throughout.

Starting XI for Real Betis

Real Betis’ lineup featured Bakambu as the focal point of their attack, supported by Antony in a wide position. The Betis defence, marshalled by their experienced centre-backs, faced 90 minutes of pressure after taking the early lead. Substitutions from the bench provided fresh energy during the closing stages.

Starting XI for Nottingham Forest

Forest named Gibbs-White as captain for the occasion, with Igor Jesus leading the line. Sangaré and Anderson provided midfield solidity, while Hudson-Odoi offered width on the flank. Ange Postecoglou, Forest’s manager, awaited his first win of the season (ESPN match analysis).

Substitutions

Forest used all their substitutes strategically, bringing on Yates for Sangaré in the 82nd minute and Ndoye for Hudson-Odoi in the 64th minute. For Betis, Marc Roca’s introduction proved inspired — his cross in the 85th minute set up Antony’s crucial equaliser in the 85th minute.

Real betis vs nottm forest prediction

Pre-match predictions favored a competitive encounter given both teams’ contrasting form. Forest had failed to win in their previous three matches, while Betis had shown more consistency with one win from their last five games. The fact that this represented Forest’s first European match since the 1995-96 season added historical significance to the occasion.

Form guide

Real Betis accumulated 1.2 points per game in their last five matches, compared to Forest’s 1.0 points per game across the same period (AiScore form comparison). Neither team had secured maximum points in the Europa League league phase prior to this fixture, with both holding 0-1-0 records and one point each after the match concluded.

Injury updates

Both squads reported relatively clean bills of health heading into the fixture. No significant injuries were reported that affected either manager’s selection decisions. The match proceeded with both sides able to field their strongest available lineups.

Expert predictions

Experts predicted Forest would struggle given their winless streak, but the club’s first European outing in nearly 30 years galvanized the squad. Igor Jesus, in particular, delivered beyond expectations with his brace inside 25 minutes.

Real betis vs nottingham forest last game

This match marked a historic occasion for both clubs. Forest’s return to European competition after nearly 30 years drew significant attention, while Betis continued their tradition of featuring in continental competition — this being their 12th Europa League campaign.

Match timeline

The match unfolded with remarkable attacking intent from both sides. Bakambu’s 15th-minute opener gave Betis a dream start. Forest’s response was immediate and devastating — Igor Jesus scored twice between the 18th and 23rd minutes to turn the game on its head. The second half saw chances at both ends before Antony’s 85th-minute strike set the final scoreline.

Turning points

The decisive moment arrived when Marc Roca entered the pitch as a substitute. His cross in the 85th minute found Antony, who finished clinically to deny Forest a famous victory. Forest had controlled much of the second half before this late intervention changed the narrative entirely.

Post-match reactions

Forest’s players and staff left Seville with mixed emotions — proud of the fighting spirit shown, but disappointed at conceding so late. Betis celebrated salvaging a point from a match where they had trailed for much of the second half. Match highlights circulated widely, confirming the dramatic 2-2 scoreline (CBS Sports match highlights).

Forest showed spirit and skill in Seville, where Igor Jesus’ brace put them on course for a memorable victory.

— ESPN match analyst

Nottingham Forest’s first European match in nearly 30 years ended in a 2-2 draw against Real Betis as Manchester United flop Antony’s late strike.

— ESPN match analyst

For Forest, the immediate task is clear: address the defensive lapses that cost them points while learning to close out matches. The talent is evident — Igor Jesus’ brace proved that — but consistency across 90 minutes remains elusive. Betis, meanwhile, will take confidence from rescuing a point, even if the performance highlighted vulnerabilities they must fix before upcoming league phase fixtures.

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Nottingham Forest’s European resilience shone through once more in this Betis clash, echoing their earlier goalless draw vs Sturm Graz stalemate complete with key stats.

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