Nottingham Forest, led by captain Ryan Yates and goalkeeper Matz Sels, emerged victorious in a tense FA Cup penalty shootout against Brighton.
Goalkeeper Sels proved to be the hero, saving two penalties, while Yates confidently scored the decisive spot-kick, propelling Forest into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.
Brighton experienced penalty shootout heartbreak once again, reminiscent of their semi-final defeat to Manchester United two years prior.
However, Nottingham Forest may feel justice prevailed, as they were earlier denied a penalty after a VAR review.
Referee Peter Bankes initially awarded Forest a penalty after Kaoru Mitoma`s challenge on Elliot Anderson just past the hour mark.
But, following VAR intervention, the decision was overturned, prolonging a match that lacked excitement for much of the game.
Sels` crucial saves denied Brighton`s Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, either side of Neco Williams` missed penalty for Forest.
Ultimately, Yates stepped up to secure Forest`s place at Wembley, keeping their hopes alive for a remarkable season.
Despite the dramatic finale, the game itself failed to live up to expectations as a classic encounter.
Their previous 2-2 draw at Brighton in September was a far more tempestuous affair, marked by a red card for Morgan Gibbs-White and dismissals for both managers.
In contrast, their 7-0 thrashing of Brighton at the City Ground in February was a dominant display by Forest.
Brighton, under Fabian Hurzeler, had been on an unbeaten run, pushing for a Champions League spot and within touching distance of an FA Cup semi-final.
The match began at a frenetic pace, suggesting neither team was eager for extra time.
However, inaccurate passing and a lack of precision in the final third meant clear-cut chances were scarce.
Forest`s Taiwo Awoniyi, replacing the injured Chris Wood, had an opportunity when the ball fell to him, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made a save with his leg.
The visitors enjoyed a period of ascendancy without creating further significant chances.
It took almost half an hour for the hosts to threaten Sels` goal, with Yasin Ayari`s long-range shot deflected wide.
Goalless Clash
When Brighton`s Pervis Estupinan tried his luck from over 30 yards, Sels fumbled the save, but no Brighton player was close enough to capitalize on the rebound.
Despite Forest`s slight advantage, manager Nuno`s frustration grew visibly on the touchline.
After Carlos Baleba`s shot went narrowly wide for Brighton, Nuno instructed Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi to prepare to come on.
However, they remained on the bench at halftime, and Brighton started the second half with renewed intent.
Georginio Rutter, part of a previously quiet home attack, turned and shot across goal and over Sels` bar.
Almost immediately, Gibbs-White responded for Forest, forcing Verbruggen into an acrobatic save to tip his dipping shot over the crossbar.
Penalty Denied
The game became more open and engaging for the neutral observer. Jack Hinshelwood missed a good opportunity, heading wide from close range following an Estupinan corner.
Nuno acted after an hour, introducing Elanga and Hudson-Odoi into the match.
Forest believed they had broken the deadlock when Mitoma`s sliding challenge on Anderson was deemed a penalty by referee Bankes.
But VAR intervened, and after reviewing the incident, Bankes reversed his decision.
The Forest bench protested, feeling they should have had two penalties, referencing an earlier challenge on Yates by Adam Webster.
Brighton manager Hurzeler made a double substitution in an attempt to regain control.
Forest Close to Scoring
Forest came close to scoring themselves, with Verbruggen again denying Elanga after he was set up by Gibbs-White.
From another Forest counter-attack, Elanga`s cross failed to find Gibbs-White, who instead collided with the post.
Subsequently, neither team pushed strongly for a winner, leading to an additional 30 minutes of extra time, despite 11 minutes of stoppage time being added at the end of regulation.
The first chance of extra time fell to Brighton substitute Gomez, but he hesitated and cut back instead of shooting, wasting the opportunity.
Gomez also had another effort blocked by Nikola Milenkovic.
Early in the second period of extra time, Gomez`s header forced Sels into a good save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Penalty Shootout Decider
Sels then pushed away a shot from Simon Adingra, before Jan Paul van Hecke blocked a shot from Jota Silva.
Brighton substitute Joao Pedro had the ball in the net, but Estupinan was ruled offside in the buildup.
Therefore, penalties would be needed to decide the match.
Brighton won both coin tosses and elected to go first in front of their home supporters.
Pedro, Anderson, Brajan Gruda, and Hudson-Odoi all converted their penalties. Sels saved Hinshelwood`s penalty, Brighton`s third, but then Williams missed his for Forest, sending his shot over the bar.
Brighton`s joy was short-lived as Gomez`s penalty was also saved by Sels.
Milenkovic scored his penalty, meaning Lewis Dunk had to convert to keep Brighton in it, which he did.
But it was captain Ryan Yates who stepped up and confidently scored the winning penalty, sending Nottingham Forest to Wembley.
Marcus Bellamy