Matz Sels was the Hero of Nottingham Forest while rescuing two penalties in the shooting to defeat Brighton and reach the FA Cup semifinal.
After 120 minutes of stalemate in Amex, where the risk of nokau football took over, Sels proved crucial as he escaped from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez to send forest to Wembley.
It will be their first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 34 years from reaching the final in 1991 where they lost 2-1 to Tottenham.
Ryan Yates sent the winning blow, which means Forest have won their last three connections of the FA Cup through penalties, and lit jubilee scenes as the amazing Forest season under Nuno Espirito Santo now has a real chance to lower them some silver in an open cup.
The penalty drama was a reward for those who sat in 120 minutes of the cramp. Brighton played in fear, perhaps the tangible mental courtesy from the last match where Forest won the 7-0 win over the Premier League match last month.
Callum Hudson-Otode and Anthony Elanga came after an hour to enliven things for the forest, and within three minutes Forest was given a penalty. Koru Mitoma slipped into Elliot Anderson, grabbing the midfielder’s leg with his elbow and lowering it.
The referee Peter Banks showed in place, but then overturned his decision after a look at the pitch monitor, deciding that he had insufficient contacts.
Extra time came and went with a head from Gomez driven by Sels the closest one came to force a winner.
At Sels-Out saved by Hinshelwood, and although Williams lit up, the goming-trapped goalkeeper before Skipper Yates sends the wild end.
Third in the Premier League and only two games away from winning a large trophy. Season affairs are passing.
SELS: We need the fate of the sentences
Nottingham forest concierge Matz sels told BBC:
“We’ll go to Wembley. I’m happy for the team and supporters. In penalty shooting, you always need luck, but most went well for me, so I’m really happy, but we have to continue performance.
“We kept a clean sheet and didn’t give many opportunities. So lucky, but now, Tuesday, we have a great game.”
NUNO: Credit to players
Nottingham forest chief Nuno Espirito Santo:
“Good goalkeeper but also good shoots. The third time and is the first penalty we lost in all shoot-outs.
“Credit is credit to players. And of course fantastic goalkeeper.
“It means a lot. It’s a big moment for our club and on our journey.
“Is a big competition, the FA Cup. We are pleased.”
Hurzeler: Brighton ‘should show a reaction’
Brighton head Fabian Hurzeler:
“I take responsibility. In the end they had a great goalkeeper and in the end we were unable to win this game.
“I think in 90 minutes we didn’t do enough to win this game. In the extra time we did enough. Then we had some great chances and were unable to score.
“The main thing now is to show a reaction.
“To be disappointed today and tomorrow, keep your head up and show a reaction and prove that we’re able to stick together as a team.”
When are the FA Cup semifinals – and when is the draw?
The FA Cup semifinal will take place on the weekend of April 26/27 at the Wembley Stadium, with a draw for Final Four made Sunday afternoon after Predeton VS Aston Villa.
