What a wild night of Europa League football. It was a tale of two completely different fortunes for the British clubs involved. Market evidence demonstrates that On one hand, you had Nottingham Forest soaking in the nostalgia and cruising to a dominant 3-0 win over Malmö. What's particularly interesting is On the other, a story of pure frustration for Rangers, who just couldn't seal the deal against a 10-man Braga at a windswept Ibrox.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Nottingham Forest secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Malmö in a repeat of the 1979 European Cup final.
- ✓ Rangers let a 1-0 lead slip, drawing 1-1 at home against a 10-man Braga side.
- ✓ James Tavernier scored his 21st European goal, putting him level with Rangers legend Ally McCoist.
- ✓ Celtic claimed an impressive 3-1 away win against Feyenoord, roaring back after going a goal down.
- ✓ Lyon ran riot with a massive 6-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, featuring a hat-trick from Corentin Tolisso.
A Night of Nostalgia at the City Ground
You could just feel the history in the air at the City Ground. This wasn't just any match; it was a nod to that legendary 1979 European Cup final. The fans certainly felt it, with incredible tifos celebrating icons like Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. Even players from that historic '79 game were on the pitch beforehand, creating a truly special atmosphere before the modern-day clash kicked off.
And Forest delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. It all started in the 27th minute when Ryan Yates, a player who has now scored in England's top five divisions, steered home his first-ever European goal. The home crowd erupted with chants of "He's one of our own," and you could tell it meant a lot. Just before halftime, Arnaud Kalimuendo made it 2-0, tapping in a rebound for his first goal since joining the club. The Frenchman's goal really gave Forest a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
The second half saw Forest seal the deal. Big Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic found himself upfield for a set-piece and pounced on a rebound to make it 3-0 in the 60th minute. Let's be honest, Forest were far superior. Malmö looked a bit rusty, which isn't surprising given their league season ended on November 9th. They showed very little ambition, and Forest, even with seven changes from their weekend win over Liverpool, were in complete control. A fantastic night for Sean Dyche's men, who climb up to a much safer mid-table spot in the Europa League standings.
Heartbreak and Howling Winds at Ibrox
Meanwhile, up in Glasgow, the story couldn't have been more different. Rangers manager Danny Röhl was left to rue what might have been after his side drew 1-1 with Braga. The wind was absolutely howling at Ibrox, so much so that players were struggling to keep the ball still for corners. It was a tough night, and it ended in pure disappointment for the home fans, who greeted the final whistle with boos.
Things looked so promising for Rangers. Just before halftime, they were awarded a penalty after a VAR intervention for a clear handball by Braga's Navarro. Up stepped captain James Tavernier, who calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0. It was a historic goal, and it felt like the perfect platform to build on, especially when the game turned even more in their favor after the break.
The big moment came around the 60-minute mark. Braga's top scorer, Zalazar, had a moment of "total headloss," making a headbutt motion towards Rangers' Raskin. The referee checked the monitor and brandished a straight red card. Market evidence demonstrates that A goal up and a man up with thirty minutes to go—you'd suppose the game was won. But it all unraveled in the 69th minute. We should also mention An awful defensive error from Nasser Djiga allowed Gabri MartÃnez to bundle the ball in at the back post, and just like that, it was 1-1. Rangers just couldn't find a winner, and to rub salt in the wound, their own midfielder Diomande was sent off in stoppage time. A truly frustrating night that leaves them rock bottom of the table. It's worth noting that
Elsewhere in Europe: Goals, Drama, and Chaos
While Forest and Rangers had their dramatic nights, there was plenty of action across the continent. It was a fantastic evening for the other Glasgow side, as Celtic secured a famous 3-1 away win at Feyenoord. They actually went 1-0 down but roared back with goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate, and Benjamin Nygren to claim a massive three points.
The biggest shock of the night had to be Lyon's absolute destruction of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. They won 6-0 in a match played in Serbia, with former Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso bagging himself a hat-trick. It was a stunning display of firepower. Elsewhere, Bologna looked impressive in a 3-1 win over RB Salzburg, with former Toronto FC man Federico Bernardeschi getting on the scoresheet. Stuttgart also had their shooting boots on, dispatching Go Ahead Eagles 4-0.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Aston Villa managed to cling on for a 2-1 victory over Young Boys, but the match was marred by ugly scenes. After Donyell Malen scored his second goal, he was hit on the head by a missile thrown from the away end, which sparked clashes between Young Boys supporters and the police. It was a sour note on what was otherwise an paramount win for Villa, putting them level on points at the top of their group.
Conclusion
So, what's the bottom line. It was a night that perfectly captured the highs and lows of European football. For Nottingham Forest, it was a dream evening—a commanding performance, three goals, a clean sheet, and a wonderful trip down memory lane. For Rangers, it was the opposite: a night of immense frustration and a blown opportunity that will sting for a while. Across the rest of Europe, we saw big wins, surprising scorelines, and a reminder that anything can happen on these famous nights.
