Igor Jesus struck a dramatic 88th-minute winner to hand Nottingham Forest their first away victory of this season’s Europa League, edging Utrecht 2–1 on Thursday night.
Forest had gone in front early in the second half when Arnaud Kalimuendo sliced through Utrecht’s defence with a brilliant solo effort just seven minutes after the restart.
The hosts, still searching for their maiden win of the campaign, eventually found a response as former Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn ghosted in at the back post to level the score.
But Forest had the final say. Substitute Jesus capped off a flowing team move, reacting quickest to fire home after Vasilios Barkas had parried Dan Ndoye’s powerful header.
The goal marked Jesus’ fourth strike in five Europa League outings.
The victory, Forest’s first away success in European competition since 1995, lifts them to 11 points, a tally that should secure at least a playoff berth.
With two league-phase fixtures remaining, Steve Cooper’s side remain firmly in the hunt for a top-eight finish.
