Forest set up all-Premier League semi-final after defeating 10-man Porto | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest booked their first European semi-final since 1984 with a narrow 1-0 win at home to ten-men FC Porto.

Vítor Pereira was without Elliot Anderson after the sad passing of his mother but Forest produced a fine display without their star man in midfield.

Indeed, the home side enjoyed a fantastic start to the game when Jan Bednarek received a straight red card for a studs up challenge on Chris Wood – it was accidental from the Polish defender but the decision was a correct one.

Then just five minutes later, Forest made it 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. There was plenty of space for Morgan Gibbs-White to operate before he fired a shot that took a big deflection off of Pablo Rosario to wrong-foot Diogo Costa.

Pereira was forced into a change with Chris Wood, who of course recently returned from injury, having been forced off with Igor Jesus taking his place.

The home side had chances to add to their advantage before the break with Murillo firing just wide from the edge of the area and then Nicolás Domínguez heading just wide.

Despite being down to 10 men the visitors improved in the second half and almost levelled when William Gomes hit the bar.

Forest were again forced into changes due to injury with two having near simultaneously. Murillo and Calum Hudson-Odoi – who had come on early in the second half – also needed to be replaced.

Igor Jesus had two great chances to ease Forest nerves only for Diogo Costa to keep the Brazilian out.

Instead, the City Ground had to worry as they saw Alan Varela strike the bar from the edge of the area in the 84th minute.

However, Forest were able to hold and set up a semi-final against fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.