Goalkeeper Matz Sels was heroic for Nottingham Forest as they squeezed past Brighton on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
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The first half of this FA Cup tie was a dire affair, a game played at a glacial pace that seemed to feature two sides paralysed by the fear of a potential defeat.
That being said, Brighton did actually go closest, despite Forest dominating most of the territory, as Carlos Baleba unleashed a fierce effort from the edge of the box and smashed a goal-side camera, as it zipped agonisingly wide of the post.
Both sides had half-chances early in the second half, with Georginio Rutter slamming an effort just over the bar and Morgan Gibbs-White forcing a save from range.
Just after the hour mark, Forest were awarded a penalty, as referee Peter Bankes ruled that Kaoru Mitoma had fouled Elliott Anderson in the penalty area, but VAR recommended an on-field review, and the decision was overturned.
The quality on show throughout the game was sorely lacking, with loose touches, poor fouls, and snatched shots characterising a fixture that eventually resembled a lower-league clash.
There was an increase in intensity as the clock ticked down, and as eight minutes were added on, but yet again, there was simply a dearth of ability and extra time was required.
In the 18th minute of the 30, Matz Sels made a brilliant save to tip Diego Gomez's header over the crossbar. With just three minutes remaining, Joao Pedro thought he had scored a dramatic winner, but Pervis Estupinan was offside in the build-up, so the flag was raised.
Penalties were ultimately required, and it was Forest who came out on top, as Matz Sels saved from Jack Hinshelwood and Gomez, and captain Ryan Yates scored the decisive kick.
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Sels made a superb save in extra time, and followed up by making two stops in the shootout. Without him, Forest would almost certainly not be in contention to both qualify for the Champions League and potentially win the FA Cup.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Rutter played well for Brighton, proving a handful up front, and he was perhaps unlucky not to score. But on 74 minutes, he appeared to sustain a muscle injury as his studs got caught in the turf, and he jarred his ankle. After lengthy treatment, he needed to be substituted. He will hope it is nothing serious, as will his manager Fabian Hurzeler.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Forest will continue their quest to qualify for the Champions League against Manchester United on Tuesday, before a clash with Aston Villa at the weekend. Nuno Espirito Santo's side are currently third. Brighton, meanwhile, will play Villa on Wednesday.