Nottingham Forest suffered a 1-0 defeat to FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the City Ground. The home side dominated possession and created numerous chances but failed to score, while the Danish visitors netted a late winner. Manager Vitor Pereira described the result as difficult to explain given his team's performance.
The match on March 12, 2026, at the City Ground kicked off at 8:00pm GMT, with Nottingham Forest starting brightly. Early on, FC Midtjylland's Junior Brumado headed towards goal from a Philip Billing cross, but Murillo cleared it off the line. Forest responded with pressure: Omari Hutchinson forced a save from Elias Olafsson with a long-range effort, and Ola Aina tested the keeper with a low drive on the counter.
Midtjylland threatened from set pieces, including a free-kick from Aral Simsir that flashed across goal. Forest's best first-half chance came when Hutchinson passed to Morgan Gibbs-White, whose close-range shot was diverted by captain Mads Bech for a corner.
After the break, Forest continued to push. Nicolas Domínguez shot narrowly wide, Callum Hudson-Odoi curled just past the post, and Elliot Anderson drew another save from Olafsson. Igor Jesus headed tamely at the keeper after a deflection off a Hutchinson shot. Midtjylland's substitute Valdemar Byskov hit the crossbar and tested Matz Sels.
The decisive moment arrived ten minutes from time. Ousmane Diao crossed into the box, and Gue-Sung Cho headed down into the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead. Forest, with 21 shots on goal, pressed late: Lorenzo Lucca's header was saved by Olafsson, but they could not equalize.
Heavy rain affected play, as noted by Pereira. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It is difficult to explain. We created so many chances to score. Even if we were to draw, it would not have been fair. They had two chances, and they scored. But we had enough time and the game was there. We had the quality to win.” He added: “Even the rain played against us! We created good dynamics and chances to score, but the rain came and it was difficult. We will keep the spirits and go next time with the mentality to win the game.”
Forest's starting lineup was Sels, Morato, Murillo, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Jesus, Hutchinson, Cunha, Aina. Midtjylland fielded Olafsson, Diao, Erlic, Bech, Mbabu, Bak, Billing, Bravo, Castillo, Simsir, Brumado. This result leaves Forest trailing ahead of the second leg in Denmark, where Midtjylland remain unbeaten at home this season. Earlier in the competition, Midtjylland beat Forest 3-2.
