Nottingham Forest eliminated Ipswich Town from the FA Cup on March 3, 2025, winning the match 5-4 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at the end of extra time. This victory advances Forest to the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament, where they will face Brighton. Both teams showed resilience during the match, but it was Forest who emerged victorious.
During the game, Ipswich took the lead early in the second half through George Hirst, who scored following a corner kick. The momentum shifted when Ryan Yates equalized for Nottingham Forest, capitalizing on an assist from Anthony Elanga, leveling the score at 68 minutes. Despite both teams creating chances, neither could find the back of the net during the remainder of the match and the game moved to extra time.
The additional 30 minutes brought forth intense action, but neither side broke the deadlock. The focus shifted to the penalty shootout to decide the winner. Nottingham Forest's goalkeeper Matz Sels became the hero of the day by saving the decisive penalty from Ipswich's Jack Taylor, ensuring his team’s place in the next round.
"I’m happy of course… Before the game I studied some penalties and every time I took the wrong corner but the last penalty was the right corner, so I’m happy for the team and now we have another important game at the weekend," said goalkeeper Matz Sels to ITV Sport after the match.
After the penalties were evenly matched throughout, with each team scoring the first four attempts, Sels’s heroics secured the win after Nottingham Forest scored five out of five, and Ipswich’s Taylor fell short. Fans of Nottingham Forest celebrated not only the victory but also the significance of reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, marking their second appearance at this stage within four years.
At present, Nottingham Forest holds the third position in the Premier League, showcasing their resurgence after many years. They are poised for another challenge this weekend against Manchester City, hoping to capitalize on the momentum gained from their FA Cup victory.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, who will face Crystal Palace next Saturday, saw their FA Cup campaign come to a frustrating close. Julio Enciso, the Ipswich player currently recovering from injury, hopes to play again soon but was unavailable for this FA Cup match.
Nottingham’s triumph marks an important chapter this season, as the team looks forward with hope and determination. The players have worked hard to attain success, and with the FA Cup well within their reach, fans and supporters are eager to see how far their team can go. Whether playing at home or away, Forest’s ambitions are clear: to contend firmly for silverware and prove they are back among the elite clubs of English football.
The future for Nottingham Forest looks bright, and as they prepare for the next round of the FA Cup against Brighton, the fans, players, and management are all optimistic. This win not only boosts their morale but also reinforces their belief as they aim for success both domestically and on the cup stage.