Igor Jesus Delivers Forest a Long-Awaited European Away Win
So, let me walk you through what happened in this dramatic Europa League clash between Utrecht and Nottingham Forest — a night that turned into a milestone moment for the club. After nearly 30 years without an away win in European competition, Forest finally broke the spell, and the hero of the evening was none other than Igor Jesus.
The match had already been tense and finely balanced when Igor Jesus was brought on late in the game. And here’s the wild part — he needed just 82 seconds to make an impact. As soon as he entered, the ball fell kindly after a rebound, and he fired home what became the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory. And yes, his now-famous anime-inspired celebration, drawn straight from Dragon Ball Z, made another appearance. Fans have become increasingly familiar with his Goku-style energy blast pose, and on a night like this, it felt perfectly fitting.
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Before Jesus’ entrance, Forest had taken the lead early in the second half thanks to Arnaud Kalimuendo. He danced past multiple Utrecht defenders, got a slice of luck from a rebound, and tucked in a sharp left-footed finish. Utrecht responded later through Mike van der Hoorn, who slipped in unmarked to head home from a free-kick — a moment of slack defending that briefly shifted momentum to the home side. The Utrecht crowd sensed a turnaround, but Forest were not done.
Sean Dyche had rotated heavily after their disappointing league defeat to Everton, making nine changes, but his selections paid off. Key players like Murillo, Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz returned, giving Forest much-needed balance and control. Even as Utrecht pushed harder, the visitors managed to stay composed.
When Dyche turned to his bench, it was the substitutes who transformed the final minutes. Dan Ndoye nearly put Forest back ahead with a powerful header, saved brilliantly by Vasilios Barkas, but Igor Jesus reacted immediately to the rebound and smashed it in. Just like that, the game was flipped, and the weight of three decades without an away European win was lifted.
This victory also pushes Forest into a strong position in the Europa League league phase, keeping them firmly in the race for a top-eight finish, which would mean automatic passage to the knockout rounds. Dyche summed it up well afterward — he praised the players’ reaction, the influence of the substitutes, and the joy the win brought to the travelling supporters.
For Igor Jesus, his rise continues. Four goals in Europe already, seven in all competitions, and a growing reputation shaped by clutch moments. And for Forest fans, this wasn’t just a win — it was a long-awaited release, a reminder of European nights gone by, and a sign that this team is building something real.
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