Nottingham Forest achieved a shock 2-0 victory over Porto on matchday 3 third round of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League League Phase match at the City Ground on Thursday.

Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus each scored a penalty in each half. In the second half, Jan Bednarek scored, but the goal was disallowed after Aghehowa had been caught offside. In the end, Nottingham Forest shockingly defeated Porto 2-0. Following this match, Forest, who secured their first win in Europe in 30 years since defeating Lyon on September 21, 1995, currently sits in 17th place with four points. Dragões have dropped to 15th with six points.

Sean Dyche got offt to a flying start as Nottingham Forest's new head coach.

First Half

In the 15th minute, Oleksandr Zinchenko made a straight pass from his own back half. Callum Hudson-Odoi quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled and cuts inside before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Diogo Costa.

Shortly afterwards, Nottingham Forest were awarded a corner kick. Zinchenko took the corner by crossing it into the box. His pass was initially saved and cleared not off not far away by Diogo Costa. After picking up the loose ball, Hudson-Odoi volleyed with his left foot shot from the center of the box, but his shot was deflected off Alan Varela over the crossbar.

In the 17th minute, Douglas Luiz's cross from the left wing struck Bednarek's left arm, prompting the referee to whistle for a penalty.

Morgan Gibbs-White took the penalty kick and slotted it home with a right-footed shot, giving Nottingham Forest the a 1-0 lead. This is the England international midfielder's first goal of the season in all competitions!

In the 38th minute, Porto was awarded a free kick. Francisco Moura took the tactical free kick from outside the penalty area. After receiving the pass, Alan Varela took a right-footed shot long from 35 yards outside the box, but his shot was saved by Matz Sels.

6 minutes later, Alberto Costa crossed into the box from the right. Moura headed the ball across. Pablo Rosario quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, attempted with a left-footed half-volley from a very close distance in the box, but his shot went just wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

At the end of the first half, Nottingham Forest temporarily led Porto by 1-0 at halftime.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 51st minute, Samu Aghehowa passes back from a very close distance in the box. Upon receiving  the pass, Jan Bednarek volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net with his right foot from the center of the box. However, the VAR assistant referee intervened and, after reviewing the VAR, determined that Aghehowa had being caught offside foul, thus the goal was disallowed!

In the 73rd minute, Nicolò Savona dribbled into the right side of the box and was brought down by Martim Fernandes. The referee immediately blew his whistle and issued the former a yellow card. However, the VAR assistant referee intervened and, after the referee walked to the sidelines to review the VAR, ruled that Savona had not dived. His yellow card was revoked and a penalty was awarded to Forest.

Igor Jesus took the penalty and scored with his right foot, extending Nottingham Forest's lead to 2-0! This is the Brazilian international striker's fifth goal in all competitions of the season!

When the final whistle is blown, Nottingham Forest shockingly defeated Porto 2-0.