Nottingham Forest edged a tense penalty shootout to see off the challenge of Ipswich Town and book an FA Cup quarter-final trip to take on Brighton.
After nine perfect penalties, Ipswich substitute Jack Taylor’s tame effort was saved easily by Matz Sels to start passionate celebrations from the Forest bench and stands.
After a drab first 45 minutes George Hirst scored his third goal of the season to put Ipswich ahead, heading in unmarked at the far post from a corner.
Just look at what that win means to Nuno Espírito Santo ♥️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ZxsjZbkH4S
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 3, 2025
Forest skipper Ryan Yates soon equalised, meeting an Anthony Elanga cross back into the middle with a smart header.
Yates hit the back of the net with another header but he was offside before Callum Hudson-Odoi hit the bar.
Both sides rested their main strikers with Chris Wood and Liam Delap given time off but both came on and scored in a shootout full of brilliant penalties until Taylor stepped up.
Forest have won all four of their penalty shootouts in the FA Cup – with only Macclesfield Town and Stevenage having a better record.
Ipswich were last in the quarter-finals way back in 1993 and the wait goes on, while Forest’s fine season continues on two fronts.
Full FA Cup quarter-final line-up
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Brighton v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Preston v Aston Villa
