Nottingham Forest beat Brighton on penalties to reach first FA Cup semi-final since 1991

Fast forward a year, and the story is dramatically different. Forest are soaring in the league, perched in third place, and on the verge of their first Champions League qualification in nearly three decades. To add to the excitement, they've reached their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years, having triumphed over Brighton in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

Matz Sels, who has been a standout performer all season, made two crucial penalty saves at the Amex Stadium, keeping Forest's dreams of an FA Cup victory alive, a triumph the club hasn't seen since 1959.

"It's been an incredible season," said captain Ryan Yates, who calmly slotted in the winning penalty. "We have achieved nothing yet, but sending our fans to Wembley again feels so special. It takes me back to the joy of promotion - a day I'll never forget."

For Forest fans, it's more than just a cup run. The club is firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of the Premier League, in contention for a spot in next season's Champions League. It's a remarkable turnaround after a season that once looked doomed.

However, the road to Wembley has been anything but ordinary. Forest's FA Cup journey has been defined by penalty shootouts. After an easy win against Luton, the team found themselves relying on spot-kicks to overcome Exeter City and Ipswich Town, both teams from different tiers.

Their match against Brighton was no different. A drab game saw few chances, but Sels, as he has done time and again this season, delivered when it mattered most. First, he saved Jack Hinshelwood's feeble effort, then he sprung to his right to deny Diego Gomez's thunderous strike.

Sels, who has kept an impressive 12 clean sheets in the league, has emerged as the hero in every shootout, making key saves against both Ipswich and Exeter. "In penalty shootouts, you always need a little bit of luck," said Sels after the match. "But I'm really happy with how it went today."

Captain Yates admitted to nerves as he stepped up for the decisive penalty, but his composure sealed the victory, making Forest the first club in FA Cup history to win three penalty shootouts in a single season.

"I was a bit nervous to be honest, but when Matz saves two penalties, I knew I had to make sure we got to Wembley," said Yates.

This match, however, was marred by fatigue. Both teams had just returned from international breaks, and it showed on the pitch. Brighton's squad racked up a staggering 86,208 miles during the break, while Forest wasn't far behind with 83,054 miles. The game felt disjointed, with players lacking sharpness and quality in their passing and finishing.

Gary Lineker weighed in on the issue, calling for the football authorities to address the growing concerns over players' travel schedules. "It's not just about players' welfare," Lineker said. "The paying public suffers too. You won't see players at their best when they've been put through such intense travel schedules."

Adding to the intrigue was manager Nuno Espirito Santo's decision to rest key players like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga for the Brighton game, even as Chris Wood remained sidelined through injury. It was a calculated risk, seemingly with an eye on Forest's upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester United - a match that could be pivotal in their Champions League hopes.

Hudson-Odoi and Elanga came on in the second half, and although they failed to make an immediate impact, it was Hudson-Odoi who stepped up to convert Forest's second penalty in the shootout.

Wayne Rooney, reflecting on Nuno's tactical decision, offered his praise: "We questioned Nuno's decision to rest key players before the match, but when it pays off, you've got to give credit where it's due."

With the FA Cup semi-final now in sight and Forest's top-four ambitions intact, it's clear that what once seemed like a season on the brink of disaster has transformed into something truly special. Whether they make it to the final or secure Champions League football, the future is looking incredibly bright for the Tricky Trees.

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