Nottingham Forest Secure 1-1 Draw at Porto Following 45-Yard Own Goal Nightmare

Nottingham Forest claimed a 1-1 draw at FC Porto in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on April 9, 2026, with a freakish 45-yard own goal by Porto defender Martim Fernandes cancelling out William Gomes' opener at the Estádio do Dragão. Fernandes, 20, attempted a routine backpass to goalkeeper Diogo Costa but struck the ball with too much force and without checking Costa's position, sending it directly into his own net. The goal arrived just two minutes after Porto had taken the lead, swinging the tie's momentum sharply in Forest's favour. To compound the misfortune, Fernandes suffered a right ankle sprain minutes after the own goal and had to be substituted before the 20th minute, walking the full perimeter of the pitch to reach the dressing room entrance to applause from Porto supporters. The result leaves the tie level ahead of the second leg at the City Ground in Nottingham on April 16, 2026.

William Gomes' opener undone within two minutes Porto had started the match at full throttle, dominating possession and creating the clearer chances before the opening goal arrived. William Gomes broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, finishing at the far post following a cross from Gabri Veiga, with the move also involving Pablo Rosario in the build-up. Stefan Ortega, the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, had already made saves to deny Terem Moffi and Borja Sainz before the goal, keeping the score level in the early exchanges. The own goal in the 13th minute then halted Porto's momentum entirely, and the home side, according to match reports, never fully recovered their earlier composure. Porto created further opportunities in the second half, with substitute Deniz Gul adding energy after entering in the 59th minute, and William Gomes forcing another fine save from Ortega, but the scoreline did not change. A goal by Igor Jesus was disallowed after the break following a collision with the goalkeeper. 45 (yards) — distance of Martim Fernandes' own goal backpass

Key moments — Porto vs Nottingham Forest, April 9, 2026: — ; — ; — ; — ; —

Farioli's Porto paid for a lack of finishing efficiency Porto head coach Francesco Farioli acknowledged the psychological damage caused by the sequence of events. „It was a mistake and the reaction of the stadium and the teammates was fantastic to get him back into the game. Then he injured himself in an unfortunate situation.” — Francesco Farioli via watson.ch Farioli's side had created enough chances across both halves to win the match, but a recurring lack of clinical finishing — a theme noted in recent Porto performances — ultimately cost them a lead they had worked hard to establish. The substitutions of Gul, Pepê, and Froholdt in the second half brought additional energy but not the decisive goal Porto needed. According to Portuguese outlet JN, Nottingham Forest boss Vítor Pereira made nine changes to his starting lineup compared to the side that had beaten Tottenham, prioritising Forest's Premier League survival fight over the European tie. Forest, sitting three points above the relegation zone, face Aston Villa in the Premier League on the Sunday following the Porto match.

Forest eyeing first European semi-final since 1984 A victory for Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on April 16 would send the club into their first European semi-final since 1984, a fact noted prominently in BBC Sport's match report. The City Ground has already proven a favourable venue for Forest against Porto this season, adding to the English club's confidence ahead of the return leg. Vítor Pereira, who won two league titles with Porto during a previous spell as the club's manager, returned to the Estádio do Dragão to claim what his side will regard as a valuable away result. JN reported that Pereira himself acknowledged an element of fortune, with the publication citing his remark that Forest were somewhat lucky to concede only one goal. Porto, for their part, have never won a match in England according to the same report, a statistic that weighs on their prospects for the second leg. The diagnosis confirmed after Martim Fernandes' MRI scan revealed a right ankle sprain, with the worst-case scenario ruled out, though he will miss Porto's upcoming league fixture against Estoril.

Nottingham Forest's last appearance in a European semi-final came in 1984, according to BBC Sport. The club won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. Vítor Pereira previously managed Porto, winning the Primeira Liga during his tenure there. Porto and Forest had already met at the City Ground earlier in the current Europa League campaign, with Forest winning that encounter.