Antony late equaliser preserves Betis-Forest draw in Forest's European return

Real Betis and Nottingham Forest played to a 2-2 draw in Seville on Wednesday, in a Europa League clash that marked Nottingham Forest’s first European game in nearly 30 years. Forest, under Ange Postecoglou, mounted a bold and technically precise showing, pressing high and chasing a win that eluded them in the final minutes as Betis found a late equaliser. Antonio Antony, who has become a fan favorite at Betis since his summer move, struck five minutes from full time to deny Forest a maiden European victory in decades, while Igor Jesus produced a first-half brace that underlined Betis’ threat in front of their home fans.

Cedric Bakambu gave Betis the lead in the 15th minute, pouncing on a loose ball after Morato slipped a touch too easily and slotting past Sels from close range. It was the kind of early incision Betis have shown in moments this season, and it set the stage for a game that would become a test of Forest’s resolve under Postecoglou.

Within three minutes, Forest were level as Igor Jesus finished off a flowing move that involved Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz and Gibbs-White, tapping into an empty net from close range. Five minutes later, Jesus headed in from Luiz’s corner to give Betis a 2-1 lead and reveal Forest’s vulnerabilities at the back as they chased an increasingly ambitious game plan. Betis were fluid and technically precise, exploiting the space in the channels while Forest pressed high and looked to counter into the spaces behind Betis’ shape. The early phases showed a clash of styles: Betis’ patience and technique against Forest’s willingness to gamble higher up the pitch.

The visitors’ approach under Postecoglou was clear in their selection and movement: a 4-3-3 with Jesus furthest forward, Chris Wood on the bench and Morgan Gibbs-White asked to play in a slightly deeper midfield role to link play. Forest’s intent was evident from the start, with Gibbs-White booked in the second minute for a late challenge on Abde Ezzalzouli and Oleksandr Zinchenko fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a similar offence on Antony moments earlier. Betis’ Sels was forced into a hurried clearance as Bakambu bore down again, signaling a game that would swing on rapid transitions and well-worked counterattacks.

Forest’s night was a study in both courage and risk as they tried to keep pace with Betis’ tempo. Williams and Williams-Diaz linked on the flanks, while Hudson-Odoi and Kalimuendo offered pace and movement up front from the bench as Postecoglou shuffled his forward options. Yet the hosts’ pressing eroded Forest at times, and the mood in the home stands shifted as Betis lost shape and Forest created a handful of chances of their own. Elliot Anderson found himself threading through a defense in space, but his efforts were thwarted by a combination of good blocks and disciplined work from Betis’ back line.

With the clock ticking down, Antony found space on a counter and finished from a tight angle to restore parity, lashing the ball past Pau Lopez after Williams’ cross had sparked a final wave of pressure. It was a dramatic end to a match that had swung back and forth, with both sides desperate to claim victory on the opening night of European action for Forest. The late goal capped a night of significant early-season testing for Postecoglou’s side and offered a glimpse into the character that has fans hopeful about their potential in this competition.

Attendance at the Estadio Benito Villamarín stood at 57,257 as the final whistle went, with Postecoglou’s team preparing for a Premier League encounter against Sunderland on the weekend. The result left Betis in a strong position in their group while Forest, who arrived in Seville with high hopes, left with a point that should buoy them as they continue to adapt to European football after a long wait.

The match reinforced the reality that the Europa League remains a coveted prize for clubs with European history and ambitious owners. For Forest, a club renowned for its cup runs and European nights in the 1980s and 1990s, the night in Seville offered a timely reminder of the scale and pace of continental competition and provided a platform to build on in the weeks ahead. For Betis, the point extended their own early-season momentum and offered the kind of drama that makes European nights in Seville memorable, with a late twist that will be talked about in both dressing rooms for some time.

As Forest refocus their attention on the Premier League, the challenge remains: convert performances into results in a competition that rewards consistency and clinical finishing. Betis, meanwhile, will look to build on the performance and continue to blend the talents of a squad that can threaten in Europe, regardless of the league calendar. The opening night produced a compelling glimpse of what could unfold across the group, with the potential for more late drama and must-see moments as the campaign progresses.