From Relegation Battlers to Cup Contenders

What a remarkable transformation for Nottingham Forest. Just twelve months ago in March 2024, the club was fighting for Premier League survival following a points deduction and had crashed out of both domestic cups. Today, they're flying high in the league table and have secured their first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 34 years after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Goalkeeper Sels Emerges as the Shootout Hero

Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels cemented his place as Forest's penalty specialist with two crucial saves during the shootout, maintaining the club's hopes for their first FA Cup triumph since 1959. This marks Forest's third consecutive penalty shootout victory in this season's competition, having previously overcome League One's Exeter City and Premier League side Ipswich in similar fashion.

• Sels' incredible stats: 12 Premier League clean sheets this season + decisive saves in all three FA Cup shootouts
• Historic achievement: First team to win three penalty shootouts in a single FA Cup campaign

Captain Yates Seals Wembley Spot

Club captain Ryan Yates scored the decisive penalty, sending Forest to Wembley where they'll compete in their first semi-final since 1991. "It's been an incredible season," Yates told BBC One. "We've achieved nothing yet but to send our fans to Wembley again - we know how special it was last time when we got promoted."

The International Break Controversy

The match highlighted growing concerns about player welfare with both sides showing fatigue following extensive international travel:

Former England striker Gary Lineker commented: "Football needs to address this. It's not just about player welfare - the paying public suffer when players can't perform at their best."

Strategic Squad Rotation Pays Off

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo raised eyebrows with his team selection, resting key attackers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United. However, the decision proved justified as both substitutes contributed during the shootout, with Hudson-Odoi converting Forest's second penalty.

The Road Ahead

With Forest currently third in the Premier League, the club finds itself in an unprecedented position of challenging for both Champions League qualification and FA Cup glory. Their next fixtures will test their squad depth as they balance domestic cup ambitions with top-four aspirations.

"It will be a special day at Wembley and I'm so pleased for our supporters," said Yates. "Overall I think we deserved this moment after everything we've been through."

The victory sets up potentially the most significant fortnight in Nottingham Forest's modern history as they prepare for both a Wembley semi-final and crucial league matches that could define their future.