Forest draw with Real Betis in Seville in European match in 30 years

Nottingham Forest were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Betis in Seville on Wednesday, the club’s first European match in nearly three decades, as a late equaliser denied Ange Postecoglou’s side victory and left questions over their ability to protect leads. The Premier League club fell behind early but recovered to lead at half time through a brace from Igor Jesus before Antony levelled for the hosts in the 85th minute.

Betis opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Antony set up Cedric Bakambu to finish from close range. Forest responded strongly and took the lead before half time. Morgan Gibbs-White assisted Jesus for the equaliser, which stood after a video review, and five minutes later Jesus headed in a Douglas Luiz corner to put the visitors ahead at the interval. The Brazilian forward’s two goals were Forest’s first in European competition since the mid-1990s and marked the first time a player scored twice on his major European debut for the club.

Forest dominated long spells of the first half and created additional chances, with Callum Hudson-Odoi hitting the woodwork and Gibbs-White denied by Betis goalkeeper Pau López. Postecoglou maintained an aggressive approach at the...