FC Porto and Nottingham Forest played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the UEFA Europa League. Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was the standout performer, making seven crucial saves.
The eagerly anticipated Group Stage clash unfolded at the Estádio do Dragão on April 9, 2026. FC Porto entered the match in strong form, having won their previous two European fixtures. Nottingham Forest, conversely, sought to improve their group standing after a draw and a loss.
The match exploded into life early, providing immediate drama for the home crowd. FC Porto quickly asserted their dominance in attack. William Gomes broke the deadlock for the Dragons in the 11th minute. He expertly guided the ball home after a precise assist from Gabri Veiga.
However, Forest responded almost instantly, levelling the score just two minutes later. A moment of misfortune saw M. Fernandes concede an own goal in the 13th minute. This unexpected twist brought the score to 1-1, stunning the home supporters.
The frantic opening continued with more action. Porto's Gabri Veiga, involved in the opening goal, received a yellow card in the 15th minute. The early exchanges showed both teams' attacking intent and defensive frailties.
Porto pressed hard to regain their lead before the break. They created several clear opportunities. However, Nottingham Forest’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, proved to be an impenetrable wall. He pulled off multiple impressive saves to keep the score tied.
As the teams headed into halftime, the score remained 1-1. Porto had dominated possession and chances but lacked a clinical edge. Forest needed to find a way to create more attacking threats in the second half.
The second half saw FC Porto continue their relentless assault on the Forest goal. They maintained high ball possession and launched numerous attacks. Forest’s defensive unit, however, held firm under pressure.
Stefan Ortega remained the busiest player on the pitch. He continued his heroic performance, making critical saves throughout the half. His agility and positioning denied Porto a much-deserved second goal.
Forest focused on containing Porto and frustrating their attacks. They defended deep and limited space in their own half. Tactical substitutions by both managers failed to alter the scoreline.
The final whistle confirmed the 1-1 stalemate. The statistics highlighted Porto's attacking superiority. They registered an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.16 compared to Forest's 0.45. Porto also managed 16 total shots, with 8 on target, while Forest had just 6 shots, 2 on target.
This draw earns both teams a point in the Europa League group stage. FC Porto will feel they should have secured a win given their dominance and chances created. Nottingham Forest will be pleased with a valuable away point, largely thanks to Ortega’s outstanding display.
