Nottingham Forest Advances to FA Cup Quarter-Finals with Penalty Shootout Win Over Ipswich

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Nottingham Forest has advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling penalty shootout win over Ipswich. The match, which ended 1-1 after extra time, saw Forest's goalkeeper Matz Sels save Jack Taylor's penalty to secure a 5-4 win in the shootout. This victory marks Forest's second successive penalty shootout win in the FA Cup, following their fourth-round success at Exeter. The team will now face Brighton in the quarter-finals, with the match scheduled to take place over the weekend of 28-30 March.

The match itself was a closely contested affair, with Ipswich taking the lead in the second half through George Hirst's header. However, Forest equalized 15 minutes later through Ryan Yates' close-range header, sending the match into extra time. Despite both teams creating chances, neither could find a winner, leading to the penalty shootout. Forest's players showed nerves of steel, with Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams, and Callum Hudson-Odoi all scoring their penalties. Sels, meanwhile, made the decisive save to deny Taylor and send Forest through to the next round.

The FA Cup quarter-final line-up is now complete, with Forest set to face Brighton, while other matches include Bournemouth vs Manchester City, Fulham vs Crystal Palace, and Preston vs Aston Villa. Forest's victory continues their sensational season, with the team currently sitting third in the Premier League and chasing Champions League qualification. The FA Cup offers a chance of a trophy, and Forest will be looking to make the most of their opportunity. With their penalty shootout win, Forest has shown they have the mental toughness and team spirit to overcome adversity and achieve their goals.

The match was attended by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who is preparing for his first squad announcement next week ahead of World Cup qualifiers with Albania and Latvia. Scotland boss Steve Clarke was also in attendance, reportedly keeping an eye on Hirst, who is uncapped but qualifies for Scotland through a maternal grandparent. The FA Cup quarter-final draw has provided some exciting matches, and Forest's trip to Brighton promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Here are the FA Cup quarter-final ties:

• Bournemouth v Manchester City
• Brighton v Nottingham Forest
• Fulham v Crystal Palace
• Preston v Aston Villa

The matches are scheduled to take place over the weekend of 28-30 March, with the exact dates and times to be confirmed. Forest will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the semi-finals, while Ipswich will focus on their battle for survival in the league.

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