Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White Misses Penalty as Points Shared 0-0

Nottingham Forest were left to rue missed opportunities as they played out a goalless draw against Sturm Graz in Austria on Thursday evening. Despite controlling much of the game, Morgan Gibbs-White’s missed first-half penalty proved costly as Forest failed to convert dominance into goals, settling for a single point in their Europa Conference League group stage encounter.

The result means Forest continue their unbeaten run in the competition, but it was a night that felt like two points dropped rather than one gained. The visitors looked composed and comfortable in possession, yet lacked the clinical touch needed to make their superiority count.

From the outset, Forest looked the sharper of the two sides. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo set up his team with attacking intent, deploying Taiwo Awoniyi up front, supported Anthony Elanga and Gibbs-White in advanced roles. Sturm Graz, backed a passionate home crowd, sat deep and relied on quick counterattacks.

The first major chance came in the 20th minute when Elanga danced past two defenders and fired a low shot toward the bottom corner, only to be denied a sharp save from the Austrian goalkeeper. Forest’s growing pressure paid off fifteen minutes later when a handball in the box earned them a penalty.

Up stepped Morgan Gibbs-White, calm and confident, but his spot-kick was read perfectly the keeper, who dived low to his right to make a crucial save. It was a moment that visibly deflated Forest, who had been in control until that point.

Sturm Graz grew in confidence after the penalty miss. The hosts nearly took a surprise lead just before halftime when Jantscher’s curling effort from distance whistled inches past the post. Forest, however, managed to keep their composure and went into the break level.

The second half followed a similar pattern — Forest dominated possession, Sturm Graz sat compact, and both sides struggled to find the finishing touch. Awoniyi had a good chance early in the half, turning sharply inside the box but firing over from close range.

Nuno introduced Divine Oruororo and Callum Hudson-Odoi late on to inject pace and creativity, and while both wingers stretched the Austrian defence, Forest’s final ball continued to let them down.

At the other end, Matt Turner was rarely tested but made an important save in the 82nd minute, denying Gazibegovic’s header from a corner that could have snatched all three points for the home side.

The match ended in frustration for Forest, who will feel they should have walked away with a win. Gibbs-White’s missed penalty will be the headline, but the bigger concern for Nuno will be his team’s lack of precision in the final third despite dominating play.

Still, there were positives to take. The defensive pairing of Murillo and Boly looked solid throughout, and the midfield combination of Danilo and Yates provided balance and control. Forest once again showed resilience away from home, but if they are to go far in Europe this season, they must find their scoring touch.

Speaking after the game, Nuno admitted his disappointment:

We controlled the match from start to finish but couldn’t take our chances. In Europe, when you miss big opportunities like the penalty, it can come back to haunt you. We must learn and improve.

With this result, Forest stay second in their group with key fixtures still to come. A win in their next game could all but secure qualification to the knockout stages, but the team will need to rediscover their cutting edge if they hope to make a deep run.

Full-Time: Sturm Graz 0–0 Nottingham Forest

❌ Missed Penalty: Gibbs-White (35’)