Nottingham Forest reach FA Cup quarterfinals after Sels stops Ipswich in shootout

Nottingham Forest’s Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels saves a penalty from Ipswich Town’s Irish midfielder Jack Taylor to win the penalty shootout during the sides' English FA Cup fifth round football match at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 3, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 04 March 2025
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Nottingham Forest reach FA Cup quarterfinals after Sels stops Ipswich in shootout

  • The shootout followed a gripping game at City Ground that was tighter than the teams’ Premier League positions suggested
  • The home side has been the league’s surprise package and sits third on the table, above Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United

NOTTINGHAM, England: Goalkeeper Matz Sels was the hero for Nottingham Forest as he saved the last penalty in a shootout to take his team past Ipswich Town and into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Monday.

The teams were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time and the first nine takers all converted their penalties in a nail-biting finale.

Then Sels dived to his left to stop Jack Taylor’s kick and guarantee Forest a last-eight tie at Brighton.

The shootout followed a gripping game at City Ground that was tighter than the teams’ Premier League positions suggested.

The home side has been the league’s surprise package and sits third on the table, above Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

But it was Ipswich, third-to-last in the league, that took the lead eight minutes into the second half when George Hirst converted a back post header.

Forest got back on level terms when Ryan Yates met Anthony Elanga’s inviting cross from the right and headed home.

Yates had a second goal disallowed just minutes later, and Callum Hudson-Odoi hit the bar with a long-range effort seven minutes from time. Although both sides pushed forward for a winner, especially in the end-to-end half hour of extra time, it went to penalties.

“It was the only penalty I was in the right corner (for)!” Sels said. “In penalties, one of the goalkeepers is going to be the hero. I am happy. Looking forward to the weekend now.”


Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

Updated 2 min 33 sec ago
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Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

  • Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake

Barcelona faces Newcastle as the Champions League round of 16 gets underway on Tuesday.
The Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake.
“It’s one of the most important moments of the season and we are all ready for it,” he said.
Five-time European champion Barcelona hasn’t won the Champions League since 2015 and has had to watch on as its fiercest rival Real Madrid has dominated the competition.
Flick delivered the Spanish title last season, but his team was knocked out of the Champions League at the semifinals stage. He is aiming to improve on that this time around.
“What I can say is everything here in Barcelona is great,” he said. “I’m here 1 1-2 years and I’m enjoying every single day working with this fantastic team, with these fantastic players, with this staff around.
“Now we are building this club also for the future. This is what we want to do.”
Liverpool travels to Galatasaray on Tuesday and Bayern Munich is away to Atalanta.
Atletico Madrid hosts a Tottenham team that is fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.