UEL: Antony's Goal Secures Point for Betis Against Forest

Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest ends in 2-2 draw

Nottingham Forest marked their return to European competition with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Real Betis. Read more.

The late concession would have been frustrating for Forest manager Ange Postecoglou...

Nottingham Forest's return to European competition after a 30-year wait ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League. Antony scored a late equalizer for Betis, denying Forest a win on their continental comeback.

Forest initially fell behind when Cedric Bakambu scored for Betis inside 15 minutes. However, Igor Jesus quickly levelled the score within two minutes and then headed in again 23 minutes later to give Forest a 2-1 lead at halftime. Despite their strong start, Forest couldn't maintain their advantage, and Antony's late goal secured a point for Betis.

Nottingham Forest's return to European competition marked a significant milestone for the club, with the team last participating in 1996. The match against Real Betis was a challenging test for Forest, facing a team that finished as runners-up in the UEFA Conference League last season.

Nottingham Forest got off to a rocky start, conceding within the first 15 minutes at La Cartuja. Antony, the former Manchester United winger, had the space to drive onto his favored left foot, and he expertly laid off the ball to Cedric Bakambu. Bakambu swiftly swiveled and fired a shot into the near post, giving Betis the early lead.

However, Forest showed impressive resilience and quickly turned the game around. Igor Jesus scored a brace within five minutes, leveling the score from close range and then heading in a corner kick to put Forest ahead. Despite Forest's strong response, Betis managed to snatch a point back, with Antony scoring a late equalizer in the dying minutes of the game, resulting in a 2-2 draw between the two teams.

Igor Jesus was the hero of the show for Nottingham Forest, scoring two goals in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League. He was given the nod over Chris Wood and didn't disappoint, tapping in Morgan Gibbs-White's precise cross from close range to level the score. This sparked jubilant scenes among Forest fans who traveled from the East Midlands to witness the match.

Jesus quickly added his second goal, expertly steering a header past Pau Lopez from Douglas Luiz's beautifully delivered inswinging corner. This gave Forest a 2-1 lead, and momentum seemed to be in their favor. However, their lead was short-lived, and Betis managed to snatch a point back courtesy of Antony's late equalizer.

Callum Hudson-Odoi had a golden opportunity to put Forest ahead again, but unfortunately, his close-range effort hit the post. Despite Forest's valiant efforts, they couldn't hold onto their lead, and Antony scored the equalizer in the 85th minute, securing a 2-2 draw for Betis.

Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini wasn't satisfied with the halftime score, so he made a bold move by bringing in Ricardo Rodriguez, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Marc Roca. This triple substitution aimed to revitalize Betis' attack and spark a fightback. Although the changes allowed Betis to dominate possession, they struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities. Marc Roca's cross ultimately proved fruitful, as Antony tucked it away to equalize for Betis in the dying minutes of the game.

Pellegrini's substitutions showcased his efforts to adapt and find the winning formula. With players like Riquelme, who has been linked to other top clubs, Betis is looking to strengthen their lineup and make a statement in the competition. The team's ability to attract top talent and develop players under Pellegrini's guidance has been impressive. Despite the challenges, Betis remains a formidable opponent, and Pellegrini's tactics will be crucial in their future matches.

Betis patiently waited for the perfect moment to strike, and it paid off in the 85th minute. Marc Roca's cross found Antony, who expertly fired a right-foot shot back across goal to score a dramatic equalizer. This late goal secured a 2-2 draw for Betis, denying Nottingham Forest a win on their return to European competition.

Antony's late equaliser earns a draw for Betis 🟢#UEL pic.twitter.com/I879REDwSK

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 24, 2025

The late concession would have been frustrating for Forest manager Ange Postecoglou, but he may take a positive from the point earned against a strong Betis side. Betis has only lost once in their last seven games, showcasing their consistency and form. The draw extends Postecoglou's winless start as Forest manager to four matches, but he will likely assess the performance and look for areas to improve.

Postecoglou's Winless Streak Continues

The draw extended Ange Postecoglou's winless start as Nottingham Forest's manager to four matches, with two losses and two draws. Despite the team's struggles, Postecoglou expressed his excitement about the return to European football, highlighting the significance of the experience for the club and its supporters.