FC Midtjylland walked away from the City Ground with a big 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg. Cho Gue-sung, on as a sub, rose to score a header with 10 minutes left. It was a tough lesson for Vítor Pereira’s side, who created plenty but didn’t finish.
Heavy rain and strong gusts made the night messy. Even so, Forest controlled most of the ball and piled on pressure. They fired off 22 shots but couldn’t find a way through. Midtjylland stayed organized, waited for moments, and took the one that mattered.
Watch the match highlights
- Forest on top, but no end product: The hosts led long spells, with 22 shots (6 on target) and about 1.76 xG, yet the final touch let them down.
- One late moment swings it: In the 80th minute, Ousmane Diao whipped in a cross from the right. Cho then beat Ola Aina in the air and headed past Matz Sels into the bottom corner.
- Woodwork and weather: The forest also rattled the post and bar. In addition, puddles slowed passes as the second-half rain got worse.
- Sub makes the difference: Cho came off the bench and turned Midtjylland’s night into a famous away win.
- Midtjylland hold firm: The Danish side had fewer attacks, but they looked sharp on counters and defended their box well.
- Forest is still searching for a win: The loss makes it five matches without a victory in all competitions.
Forest started with purpose and tried to move the ball quickly. However, Midtjylland’s compact shape kept the chances from becoming clear-cut. The first half stayed scoreless, with both teams fighting the wind and slick turf.
After the break, Forest raised the tempo and pushed bodies forward. Still, the finishing didn’t match the build-up play. Midtjylland grew more comfortable on the break, and they made Forest pay when Aina lost his man at the key moment.
Pereira didn’t hide his frustration after the final whistle. “It’s not finished!” he said, pointing to his team’s effort and overall control. He also felt a draw would have matched the balance of play, while adding that the heavy rain broke up Forest’s best spells.
Next week’s second leg in Herning should be intense. Forest needs at least one goal to pull level, and they may need more to reach the quarterfinals.
FC Midtjylland match statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 (Cho Gue-sung 80′) |
| Shots | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| Possession | 43% |
| Key Player | Cho Gue-sung (goal scorer, substitute impact) |
| Assist Provider | Ousmane Diao |
| Formation | 3-5-2 |
| Notable Mention | Disciplined defense and counter-threats |
Midtjylland’s plan worked from start to finish. They absorbed pressure, stayed patient, and struck late. As a result, they leave England with a memorable win over Nottingham Forest, their second over Forest this season.
Nottingham Forest match statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals | 0 |
| Shots | 22 |
| Shots on Target | 6 |
| Possession | 57% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | ~1.76 |
| Key Players | Matz Sels (goalkeeper), Elliot Anderson (effort in midfield) |
| Formation | 3-4-2-1 |
| Notable Issue | Wasteful finishing and a defensive lapse led to a goal |
Forest led the key numbers, but the scoreboard told a different story. Their missed chances will sting, especially with league form already under pressure. Even so, the tie is still open, and the return leg gives Pereira’s team a clear target.
