The magical substitute Gue-Song Cho converted a decisive shot to a determined goal at 80th minute, nailed Forest with a home loss and a cruel start for their Knockout campaign in Europa League.
2025/2026 UEFA Europa League
0-1
Match Report:
Nottingham Forest’s profligacy was punished late on by FC Midtjylland as they fell to a 1-0 first-leg defeat in the Europa League round of 16 in treacherous conditions at the City Ground.
Substitute Guesung Cho capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Forest defender Ola Aina to head in the winner for Midtjylland with 10 minutes to go on a rain-soaked night by the River Trent. The home side, now winless in five, had 22 shots yet failed to score.
Ticket prices were slashed for Forest fans in the hope of filling out the stadium but those in attendance endured another frustrating night watching their team flounder in front of goal in the wet and windy weather. The night, predictably, ended with boos.
Sacking Sean Dyche to bring in Vitor Pereira has not had the desired effect so far. Since the Forest boss took over, overseeing four defeats in six, no side in Europe's top five league have lost more games in all competitions.
Star man Elliot Anderson, who scored in last week's draw at Manchester City, tried to overcome the conditions, coming close to setting up Morgan Gibbs-White, before seeing his own tame effort saved in an impressive second half, falling short this time.
Forest had countless opportunities to go in front, seeing former Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing clear the ball off the line for Midtjylland and Omari Hutchinson's long-range strike saved, but lacked the quality to find the breakthrough.
Midtjylland were ruthless in comparison, scoring with only their second shot on target of the game, though that does not tell the whole story. Substitute Valdemar Andreasen struck the bar and forced a good save from Matz Sels in quick succession.
The Danes remained patient to become just the fourth side this century to win twice at the City Ground in a single season. Both winning goals were the only they have scored after the 80th minute in Europe.
Forest have a mountain to climb in the second leg in Denmark next week if they are to progress to the quarter-finals. Attentions, however, will quickly turn to Sunday's crucial Premier League game against Fulham.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
32' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
33' Highlight from Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
40' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
67' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
80' GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-1 Midtjylland (Gue-sung Cho)
Line-ups
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Elliot Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Igor Jesus, Morato, Omari Hutchinson, Jair Cunha, Murillo
Subs: Gunn, Sangare, Milenkovic, Ryan Yates, Lorenzo Lucca, Neco Williams, Dilane Bakwa, McAtee, Zach Abbott, Keehan Willows
Midtjylland XI: Mbabu, Billing, Martin Erlić, Mads Bech Sørensen, Elías Ólafsson, Júnior Brumado, Aral Şimşir, Victor Bak, Pedro Bravo, Ousmane Diao, Denil Castillo
Subs: Lossl, Mikael Uhre, Edward Chilufya, Gue-sung Cho, Han-beom Lee, Adam Gabriel, Valdemar Byskov, Mark Ugboh, Junior Zé