Europa League: Betis Hold Forest in Spain; Crvena Zvezda Snatches Late Draw Against Celtic
The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League season kicked off with excitement on Matchday 1, as Real Betis held Nottingham Forest to a dramatic 2-2 draw, and Crvena Zvezda snatched a late equalizer against Celtic.
In a thrilling match in Seville,it was Real Betis’ Antony who stole the spotlight with an equalizer in the 85th minute. Betis initially took the lead through Cédric Bakambu, who finished clinically in the 15th minute. Nottingham Forest responded quickly, with Igor Jesus putting them ahead just three minutes later. Despite Forest’s efforts, including a shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi that hit the post, it was Antony’s late strike that ensured a draw for the Spanish side.
In Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda faced off against Celtic in a tightly contested match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Celtic took the lead in the second half thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho, who found the net after a well-placed pass from Benjamin Nygren. However, Crvena Zvezda’s Marko Arnautović responded just ten minutes later, tapping in from close range to level the score.
Other notable results from the night included Midtjylland’s 2-0 victory over Sturm Graz, where goalkeeper Oliver Christensen inadvertently scored the first goal of the campaign. GNK Dinamo also had a strong start, defeating Fenerbahçe 3-1, with a double from Dion Beljo sealing the win. Meanwhile, Roma edged past Nice 2-1 in a tightly contested match.
Looking ahead, Thursday will feature more exciting fixtures, including Aston Villa against Bologna and Rangers facing Genk. As the league phase unfolds, teams will compete for one of the top eight spots to secure a place in the knockout stages, while those finishing ninth to 24th will enter the play-offs.
