Nottingham Forest Knocked Out of EFL Cup by Swansea's Stoppage-Time Goals

Swansea stuns Forest with dramatic stoppage-time win

Nottingham Forest's League Cup run comes to an end as Swansea City scores two stoppage-time goals to win 3-2. Ange Postecoglou's side led 2-0 but failed to hold on.

“I just thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did...”

Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest suffered a stunning 3-2 defeat to Swansea City in the League Cup third round, despite taking a 2-0 lead courtesy of Igor Jesus' brace. Jesus scored his first goal in the 14th minute with a precise finish at the far post and doubled Forest's lead just before halftime with a beautifully worked move.

Nottingham Forest dominated the opening half but failed to capitalize on their chances in the second, allowing Swansea to stage a dramatic comeback. Cameron Burgess pulled one back for Swansea with a header from a corner in the 68th minute, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

Swansea equalized in the 93rd minute when Slovenian substitute Zan Vipotnik slotted home from close range. Forest's hopes were dashed when Burgess scored his second goal in stoppage time, firing in a rebound after Ethan Galbraith's piledriver hit the crossbar.

Postecoglou expressed frustration over his team's inability to kill off the game, saying, “I just thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did.” Forest's manager acknowledged that his team got comfortable and paid the price for not being more clinical in cup football.

 

🦢 AN INCREDIBLE SECOND HALF!#CarabaoCup | @SwansOfficial pic.twitter.com/vsf75MEWBL

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) September 17, 2025

The match seemed under control for most of the second half on a rainy South Wales night, but Swansea suddenly gained momentum when Cameron Burgess headed in a corner kick with about 20 minutes left to play, giving his team a lifeline. The drama unfolded in stoppage time as Slovenian substitute Zan Vipotnik scored an equalizer in the third minute, sending the game into extra time. Burgess then sealed the win for Swansea after Ethan Galbraith's powerful shot hit the woodwork and rebounded.

This loss marked Ange Postecoglou's second consecutive defeat as Nottingham Forest manager, following a 3-0 thrashing at Arsenal in the Premier League. Postecoglou's side has now conceded six goals in just two games, raising concerns about the team's defensive stability under his leadership. Despite Igor Jesus scoring twice in the first half, Forest's inability to hold onto their lead ultimately cost them the match.