Nottingham Forest has advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, defeating Ipswich Town 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. The tension-filled encounter, held at the City Ground on March 3, 2025, saw Forest overcome the underdog Ipswich, who aimed to surprise with their weakened lineup.
The contest stirred excitement as both sides put forth their starting teams, yet the first half was characterized by unremarkable play, with neither team managing to find the back of the net. Matz Sels, Nottingham’s goalkeeper, remained largely unchallenged, observing from his net as the Forest offense struggled to create meaningful chances. Ipswich, too, appeared content to absorb pressure, marking time until the match unfolded more compellingly.
England manager Thomas Tuchel occupied the stands, observing not just the clash as it progressed, but also assessing the players as he prepares for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. While both teams seemed disjointed, the second half revealed more intent, starting with George Hirst’s opener for Ipswich just eight minutes after the break. Hirst met Ben Johnson’s well-placed corner with his head, sending the ball past Sels and putting the visitors momentarily onto the front foot.
But Nottingham Forest responded strongly just 15 minutes later. Ryan Yates, after coming on from the bench, elevated the team's spirits with a close-range header off Anthony Elanga’s accurate cross, leveling the match at 1-1. This equalizer pushed the game toward extra time, igniting hopes of extended excitement for both sets of supporters.
While extra time allowed both teams to create opportunities, the game concluded with no goals added according to the scoreboard. The stalemate brought on penalties. Sels emerged as the key player with his decisive save against Ipswich's Jack Taylor, who was the only player to miss his mark during the shootout. After nine flawless penalties where all players executed their shots perfectly, it was left to Sels to secure victory for Forest with his dramatic save.
Following the match, the City Ground took on an electrifying atmosphere. Nottingham Forest’s win marks their consecutive advancement to the FA Cup quarter-finals, having overcome Exeter City on penalties previously. With their focus now on the possibility of winning the tournament outright, Forest sets its eyes on the upcoming challenge against Brighton, awaiting them next.
For Ipswich Town, disappointment lingers as they suffer yet another exit against Premier League opposition. Playing without several key figures as Kieran McKenna rotates his squad for their relegation scrap, the team must now center its attention on preserving their place in the top tier of English football. This FA Cup outing was their second fifth-round appearance this century, and once more they will depart the competition before reaching the quarter-finals, last having made it to the final eight back during the 1992-93 season.
The match also featured key player performances not limited to Sels' heroics but included notable efforts from Elanga and Yates who played significant parts for their side. For the home team's supporters, the impending cup draw offers not only hope but excitement as they dream of cup glory and reflect on the breakthrough moments showcased at their historic ground.
This thrilling paradigm of the FA Cup not only highlights the prestigious nature of the tournament but also reinforces Nottingham Forest's aspiration for glory once more on the grandest of stages.