Forest’s European Hopes Dim After Costly Defeat in Braga

BRAGA, January 23, 2026 – Nottingham Forest’s quest for automatic qualification to the Europa League knockout rounds was dealt a severe blow following a dramatic and frustrating 1-0 loss to Sporting Braga in Portugal on Thursday night. A calamitous sequence featuring a saved penalty and an immediate own goal proved decisive, leaving Forest’s fate out of their own hands.

Match Summary: A Minute of Madness

The pivotal moment arrived just after the 53-minute mark. Forest were awarded a penalty when James McAtee was fouled by Braga’s Gabri Martínez. Captain Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up, but his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Lukáš Horniček. From the resulting counter-attack, Braga swept forward and a cross into the box was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Ryan Yates.

Forest, who had controlled much of the game without creating clear chances, were left shell-shocked. Their misery was compounded deep into stoppage time when midfielder Elliot Anderson was shown a straight red card for dissent. Remarkably, Braga secured the victory without registering a single shot on target.

Key Match Facts

Manager and Player Reaction

Forest boss Sean Dyche lamented a costly lapse in concentration. “One minute of madness in a game that we’ve never looked in trouble,” he told TNT Sports. “We missed a penalty, but that can happen. But then the reaction is, we’re not good enough for the next minute or so. We lose a game to what is a really poor goal.”

Captain Ryan Yates, who scored the decisive own goal, took responsibility. “I have to hold my hands up, and I should have done better,” Yates stated. “We had an opportunity to make the breakthrough. We don’t. And then, unfortunately, I make a mistake on the other end… That’s football.”

Europa League Standings Implications

The defeat leaves Nottingham Forest with 11 points from seven matches, sitting in 16th position in the expanded league phase table. The top eight teams qualify automatically for the round of 16. Forest are now three points behind eighth-placed Braga (16 points) and must win their final match at home to Ferencváros on January 29 and hope other results go their way to have any chance of a top-eight finish. A finish between 9th and 24th would see them enter a two-legged knockout play-off.

Viewing Information for Canadian Supporters

For Canadian viewers, UEFA Europa League matches are available through TSN and its streaming service TSN+. DAZN also holds streaming rights for the competition in Canada. The decisive final group match against Ferencváros is scheduled for Thursday, January 29.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this result mean for Nottingham Forest’s Europa League campaign?

Forest can no longer guarantee a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16. Their destiny is no longer in their own hands. They must beat Ferencváros in their final match and rely on other teams above them dropping points.

Who will miss the next match due to suspension?

Midfielder Elliot Anderson will be suspended for the crucial final group match against Ferencváros after receiving a straight red card for dissent in added time.

Did Braga have any shots on target?

No. Remarkably, Braga won the match 1-0 without registering a single shot on target, with the only goal being an own goal.