Igor Jesus’ double against Ferencvárosi fires Forest to the Europa League playoffs

Nottingham Forest secured a comfortable 4-0 victory over Ferencvárosi TC in the UEFA Europa League at the City Ground on Thursday night.

The visitors could’ve taken an early lead inside the opening sixth minute after a corner was taken short and Jonathan Levi played in a cross to the near post, but Kristoffer Zachariassen’s header came off the post.

At the other end, Dan Ndoye skipped past his markers and worked his way into the area, but his effort was collected by David Grof.

In the 17th minute, the Tricky Trees got the lead through an own goal after Ryan Yates played in a cross into the visitors’ area and Bence Otvos put it into his own net.

Four minutes later, Igor Jesus doubled the host’s advantage after he wriggled his way to the edge of the box and arrowed his effort to the far corner via the faintest of deflections.

Forest went into the break with a two-goal cushion, and shortly after the restart, the Tricky Trees almost got a third when James McAtee clipped in a cross for Nicolas Dominguez to meet, but his header came off the base of the far post.

In the 55th minute, Igor Jesus doubled his tally and got Forest’s third after Ibrahim Sangare played in a long ball over the top and the Brazilian latched onto the loose ball before finishing first-time into the bottom corner.

At the other end, Bamidele Yusuf could’ve pulled one back for the visitors, but his bullet header struck the bar.

In the 82nd minute, McAtee almost got his first Forest goal from a free-kick, but his effort was denied by the stretching Grof.

However, McAtee finally got his goal on the stroke of full-time from the penalty spot to cap off the scoring for the host.

Forest recorded a big win in Europe and the first time they’ve scored four goals in a European match in 47 years as they secured their spot in the Europa League playoffs.