2 with Real Betis in opening UEFA Europa League match

In short:

A late goal has denied Nottingham Forest a win on its return to European football, settling for a draw in its opening Europa League match with Real Betis.

Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has become the club's first permanent manager since Billy Walker in 1946 to go without a win in his opening four matches.

What's next?

Forest's next match will be at its home ground on Sunday, AEST, against Sunderland in the EPL.

Nottingham Forest's long-awaited return to European competition ended in a 2-2 Europa League draw at Real Betis, with Igor Jesus's first-half double cancelled out by a late Antony strike.

Forest's return to a major European competition for the first time since March 1996 began on the wrong foot, with Betis taking the lead inside 15 minutes when Cedric Bakambu fired an effort high into the net.

The two-time European Cup winners responded swiftly as Jesus levelled from close range within two minutes and then headed in again in the 23rd minute.

Both sides pushed for a breakthrough following the interval. Betis gradually seized more control as the match wore on and were finally rewarded five minutes from time, when Antony tucked away Marc Roca's cross to ensure the spoils were shared.

With the result, Forest boss Ange Postecoglou became the club's first permanent manager since Billy Walker in 1946 to go without a win in his opening four matches.

"I think first I should be proud of the players' efforts. It's a difficult place to come, difficult conditions, people don't realise the humidity out there," Ange Postecoglou said to TNT Sports.

"I'm just disappointed that the players and supporters don't get the rewards for our efforts. I've just got to make sure they keep their heads up because there's plenty to be positive about and the wins will come."

Postecoglou guided Tottenham Hotspur to claim the Europa League title last season, the London-based club's first trophy in 17 years, and first continental trophy in over four decades.

But a poor English Premier League campaign, where Spurs finished a lowly 17th, led to the Australian being sacked at the end of the season.

Postecoglou was named Forest's manager earlier this month.

Previous manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who had led the club back to qualifying for European football, had started the season with a win, loss and draw.

Since Postecoglou took over, Forest was beaten by Arsenal 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Burnley in the EPL.

Forest also blew a two-goal lead in the second half to be knocked out of the League Cup by Championship side Swansea.

Forest's next match will be at its home ground on Sunday, AEST, against Sunderland in the EPL.

Reuters/ABC

The ABC of SPORT

Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.

Click here to read article