The opening round of the UEFA Europa League kicked off this Wednesday (24th), with nine matches taking place. With Brazilians standing out. Notably Antony and Igor Jesus, the big highlights of the li...
The opening round of the UEFA Europa League kicked off this Wednesday (24th), with nine matches taking place.
With Brazilians standing out. Notably Antony and Igor Jesus, the big highlights of the lively Betis vs Nottingham Forest clash on Spanish soil.
The former Botafogo striker started for the second time wearing the English club’s shirt.
And he found the net twice again, taking the club’s top scorer spot for the season.
Putting pressure on Chris Wood, who is the regular starter in Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, the number 7 made all the difference to secure a point for the Andalusian team. He had an assist and scored a goal in the final stretch of the match.
Betis 🆚 Nottingham Forest
The home team—playing at La Cartuja while their stadium is being renovated—took the lead just 15 minutes in.
With Antony’s help before Bakambu celebrated.
But then the Spanish side was completely dominated. They didn’t even manage another shot before halftime.
Forest’s equalizer came after a well-orchestrated attack and a goal by Igor Jesus (18’).
The club’s first goal in European competitions after 29 years.
Twice Champions League winners, Forest hadn’t played in a European tournament since the UEFA Cup, the old UEL, in 1996.
Igor Jesus scored again at 23’, taking advantage of a corner taken by Douglas Luiz.
He joined the select list of Premier League club players who scored two or more goals in each of their first two starts—for all competitions.
5 - Players to score 2+ goals in both of their first 2 starts for a Premier League club (all comps):
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 24, 2025
1994 - Guy Whittingham - Sheff Weds
1998 - Dion Dubin - Aston Villa
2016 - Marcus Rashford - Man Utd
2019 - Gabriel Martinelli - Arsenal
2025 - Igor Jesus - Nottm Forest
Dream. pic.twitter.com/uCwc5R4oH7
His first two goals for Forest came against Swansea, in the English League Cup.
Betis returned with three changes in search of a comeback after an underwhelming first half.
And they succeeded, as they started playing better football, in contrast to a Forest side that fell apart after the substitutions made by Postecoglou
It was up to Antony to secure the draw (85’).
Dinamo Zagreb 🆚 Fenerbahçe
Eliminated by Benfica in the Champions League knockout rounds, the Turkish club had to settle for the UEL.
And they debuted with a defeat.
Now under the command of Domenico Tedesco—who replaced the sacked Mourinho—Fener fell behind after a goal from Beljo (21’).
Szymanski equalized soon after (25’). But the Brazilian Ederson was beaten again by Beljo (51’).
Bakrar (95’) still scored the third.
Nice 🆚 Roma
The Brazilian Dante made history by taking the field against Roma.
He became the oldest outfield player to play a UEL match.
The team from the Italian capital was superior in the first half, but failed to score.
And came back strong after the break, with their defenders making the difference.
First with Ndicka (52’) after a corner taken by Pellegrini.
Next, Tsimikas delivered a perfect cross for Mancini (55’) to appear in the box like a true number 9.
The Riviera side only scored at 77’, with Moffi converting a penalty.
Other matches of the day 👇🏽
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP or licensors
Category: General Sports
